Reason # 673 To Hate The Flyers

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

We've had some technical issues here over the last couple of days - but we're back. In trying to come up with some fresh this morning, we thought about the NHL - Roberto Luongo's 72 save performance in quadruple overtime Wednesday night against Dallas? Rick DiPietro possibly coming back to the Islanders? (even though it won't make a difference) How after game one of the opening round San Jose and Anaheim look like they are in a league of their own? We could have taken my lumps for picking the Flames to win the series over Detroit, given how awful Calgary looked on Wednesday night.

We could have talked baseball - but then we'd have to talk about Felix Hernandez's performance against Boston; didn't we say that Boston would find going up against him much different than hitting against Weaver? How about those Los Angeles Red Sox? (Boston Dodgers or Red Sox West)

We could have talked about any or all of those things - but we decided to go with one of our favourite topics - hating the Philadelphia Flyers organization and everyone connected to it - from Ed Snyder and Bob Clarke right on down to the guy selling peanuts in the stands. As Leaf Nation continues to dissect the season that was and another year without making the playoffs, we get to hear the thoughts of former Flyers coach Mike Keenan wade in with his views on why the Maple Leafs didn't make the playoffs.

Iron (head) Mike wrote a column for the Toronto Sun earlier this week about, with his perspective on why the Leafs didn't make the playoffs. Why the Sun gave that jackass any space is beyond me; but Iron Mike points the finger and Andrew Raycroft - surprise surprise, Keenan blaming a goalie for a team's failure. Keenan writes that the main problem with the Maple Leafs was that the didn't have a legitimate number one goalie - and Raycroft was not the answer. This is especially funny when you consider two things:

1) while coaching the Blackhawks - Keenan was the guy who traded Dominik Hasek away to Buffalo;

2) as GM of the Florida Panthers - Keenan traded Roberto Luongo to the Vancouver Canucks for an injured Todd Bertuzzi.

So the thought of this jackass talking about who is or isn't a legitimate number one goalie is a joke - much like his coaching career in the NHL playoffs. The game has passed this guy by - the fact that newspapers like the Toronto Sun, and television stations like TSN, give him any face time, is an indication of the desperation of these media outlets to find "credible" personalities to give face time to.

One last NHL note - the Penguins are here to play Game 2 against the SenaTards this afternoon; this may be a must watch game, if for no other reason, because Penguins coach Michel "throat slasher" Therrien has gone on record as saying that the Penguins would go after some of Ottawa's star players in response to some of the hits dealt by Tards forward/defenceman Christoph Schubert. Why do I think the chances of seeing Chris Neil on the ice at the same time as Georges Laraque is zero? Bryan Murray will protect Neil's "reputation" as an enforcer by not letting him get his assed kicked by big Georges...too bad, I'd pay to see that one.


HAZEL'S THREE STARS
Toronto Blue Jays P Roy Halladay goes 10 innings in a 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers last night at the Rogers Centre.

Houston Astros OF Carlos Lee hit three HRs and drove in six runs in a 9-6 victory over Brett Myers and the Philadelphia Phillies last night.

Dallas Stars G Marty Turco rebounded from the Wednesday's overtime loss to the Canucks, stopping all 35 shots he faced in last night's 2-0 victory at GM Place.

Anaheim Ducks D Francois Beauchemin really has the Ducks on "a nice street" (beau chemin is nice street in French) after scoring two power play goals in a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild.

We went with four stars today - we would have gone with five by talking about Derek Lowe's start vs San Diego last night...but that might be a little much.


SATURDAY THREE PLAY
The total for the week stands at a respectable + $230 after both of our suggested plays on Tuesday came through. Three more this afternoon.

Chicago over Cincinnati - Cubs Manager Lou Piniella had a meltdown yesterday after the Cubs blew a five run lead; expect Rich Hill to get the Cubs (and the Maeple Leafs) back on track with a win today over the Reds and former Red Sox P Bronson Arroyo. Lay $100 on the Cubs - $126.

Philadelphia over Houston - we expect the Phillies to get back on the right track today with Cole Hamels on the mound. Lay $100 on the Phils - $180.

Pittsburgh over Ottawa - the SenaTards have gotten out to a 1-0 series lead six times in the past, they are 0-6 in game 2 of a playoff series in which they won the first game. Don't buck the trend, expect the Pens to come out hard today. Lay $100 on the Penguins + $165.

That's it for this morning gang - wrapping up milestone birthday week with another night out...thankfully its just dinner tonight.

KEEPING HAZEL UP ON WHAT'S WHAT IN TORONTO

Doc continues mastery over Tigers

Hazel's old stomping grounds showing its age

Halladay saves under-manned Jays

Johnson on DL


HAZEL'S SATURDAY HOROSCOPE
Get involved in activities that will teach you something new. Love and romance are in the stars but don't let jealousy ruin what could be a very passionate encounter. Make travel plans. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - I got an email Wednesday morning from my girl (and best friend) "B" wondering why I had not mentioned that she was taking me out for lunch that day. Well "B", I'm saying it now...and thanking you for a great lunch - time with you is always time well spent. So for my girl "B"

Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs

Let it never be said, that romance is dead
Cos there’s so little else occupying my head
There is nothing I need except the function to breathe
But I’m not really fussed, doesn’t matter to me

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Know what ya doing, doing to me?
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby

Due to lack of interest tomorrow is cancelled
Let the clocks be reset and the pendulums held
Cos there’s nothing at all except the space in between
Finding out what you’re called and repeating your name

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Know what ya doing, doing to me?
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby

Could it be, could it be that you’re joking with me
And you don’t really see you with me
Could it be, could it be that you’re joking with me
And you don’t really see you with me

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Know what ya doing, doing to me?
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Know what ya doing, doing to me?

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!