NHL Road Warriors

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

As we mentioned this morning - today marks the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson suiting up for the Brooklyn Dodgers and breaking the colour barrier. I don't think I can bring anything fresh to the table, having never seen Robinson play - but reading about him, I'll let baseball historians write about Robinson's legacy; about what a great player he was, about what a great human being he was, and about the courage and determination he showed. What I will say is that on the sixtieth anniversary of Robinson's first game, it is sort of sad that there isn't a team in Montreal today - Robinson spent some time playing for the Dodgers' farm team in Montreal and the fans in the city always loved him. When former Dodger OF Duke Snider was a broadcaster for the Expos, he often talked about the love affair between Montreal's baseball fans and the Montreal Royals; Jackie Robinson was often talked about when Snider spoke of the Montreal Royals. I'm sure they are doing something in Montreal today...unfortunately it doesn't involve going to the ballpark.

A rare occurance in the NHL last night, and I can't say that I'm disappointed with it. Game 2 of the NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs went yesterday and all four road teams carried the day/night. It goes without saying that yesterday's game between the SenaTards and the Pittsburgh Penguins was especially sweet, watching the Tards blow two third period leads to the Penguins - and our X factor, Gary Roberts, being at the center of the storm. Roberts lifted a flat Penguins team in the third with a couple of hard checks and being the unstoppable force against a soft Tards D. Its been a great day today, listening to the Tards faithful call in to the Team 1200 to tear their team apart for being soft and gutless - with most predicting that the series is over; then "sens" the inevitable choke that is starting to happen. The only thing better than watching the Maple Leafs win is watching the Tards lose - call it a glass half full view of the NHL.

The Islanders welcomed back Rick DiPietro yesterday and he was the main reason why the Islanders upset the Buffalo Sabres by a 3-2 count last night - DiPietro won't be able to win this series for the Islanders, but last night's performance should serve as a wakeup call for the Sabres.

In another shocker, the Tampa Bay Lightning evened their series with the Devils last night in New Jersey - Lightning forwards Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis lead the way for the Bolts; New Jersey couldn't contain either of them and wound up paying the price. Like I said in the breakdown last week - I'd love to be wrong about the Devils winning this series; Game 3 may be the pivotal game, if the Lightning get a win...they might just be able to pull this one off - and guess who will be celebrating?

The Rangers took a 2-0 lead in their series with a win over the Thrashers yesterday afternoon in Atlanta - not surprising, we expect the Rangers to win this series.

HAZEL'S THREE STARS
In keeping with the road warrior theme - we are going to go with three big playoff performances.

Pittsburgh Penguins LW Gary Roberts is again inside the SenaTards head; Roberts put the Pens on his back and lead them back from two third period deficits. On the afternoon, Roberts had a goal and an assist - but as the Tards faithful can attest to, he did much more than score.

New York Islanders G Rick DiPietro made 32 saves to lead the Islanders to a 3-2 victory over the Sabres last night; the Isles are a different team with him in goal...we hope this isn't another case of the kid being rushed back. Funny moment in last night's intermission - CBC showed a clip of Lindy Ruff going after Isles goalie Billy Smith during a playoff encounter years back. Funny, Ruff would have a fit if that happened to one of his goalies today - forgetting what a piece of crap he was as a player.

Tampa Bay Lightning C Vincent Lecavalier was a force yesterday against the Devils, he scored the game winner and was constantly in Martin Brodeur's line of vision.

Honourable mention goes to Boston Red Sox P Curt Schilling who pitched a beauty yesterday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Chicago Cubs P Rich Hill who overpowered the Cincinnati Reds - a day after Lou Piniella lost it after watching the Cubs blow a 5-0 lead.


SUNDAY THREE PLAY
We'll pick three for this afternoon/evening.

Pittsburgh over Ottawa - the Tards are consoling themselves with the thought that the outplayed Pittsburgh in the first two games of the series; the Pens go home knowing that they haven't come close to playing their best and that one good period got them a win in Game 2. Penguins come out firing tonight. Lay $100 on the Pens even.

Minnesota over Anaheim - we expect the Wild to get their game back on track at home tonight; it won't be enough to win the series, but they'll get one tonight for their fans. Lay $50 on the Wild - $145.

Los Angeles over San Diego - Red Sox West on a Sunday night broadcast...sweet! We are going to back Randy Wolf to pitch the Dodgers to a series victory tonight. Lay $100 on the Dodgers + $105.

That's it for today gang - we've got the Pens/Sens coming up and the Dodgers tonight. Enjoy your Sunday.


KEEPING UP ON WHAT'S WHAT IN TORONTO

Ryan out indefinitely with elbow problems - Ricciardi sweating bullets right now

Reed Johnson is out too

Jays honouring Jackie today


HAZEL'S SUNDAY HOROSCOPE
Interacting with others either on the phone, in person or over the Internet will bring about some interesting information that sparks a new idea. You are a pioneer and it's time to break ground in areas that other people have not even considered. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world on this cold rainy Sunday.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - we're starting to come around...ready to joining the ranks of "the functioning". For the NHL Road Warriors

Oh Be Joyful - Matthew Good

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!