The Ducks Are Indeed Mighty

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

For those of you thinking that we were going to rip the SenaTards for losing last night - we are actually going to congratulate the Tards for making to a level that Leafs Nation has been dreaming about. While we loved watching them go down (notice we didn't say we told you so?), we can't help but feeling a little bad - trust me, its temporary.

Congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks who won hockey's ultimate prize - they were far and away the better team. While most of the games were decided by a goal, the Ducks consistently out-worked, out-hit, out-hustled, and out-shot their opponents. The Ducks controlled most of the series, whether they were tied or protecting a lead - CBC's broadcast crew summed things up in the third period last night when one of the members said "Ottawa just can't handle Anaheim - they're too good." We won't get into the deets of last night's game - it would be too painful for some of the SenaTards faithful who check in.

Scott Niedermayer was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the most valuable player in the playoffs - while we can't really argue with the selection, we would like to respectfully submit that were it up to us...Ducks GM Brian Burke would have gotten the trophy. Burke didn't score a goal, he didn't throw a hit, he didn't even block a shot - but the Cup win can be attributed to him as much as anyone else. Burke, who is one of the NHL's more brash and outspoken GMs, has always attributed much of the Ducks success to SenaTards GM Bryan Murray who drafted many of their bright young stars when he was Anaheim's GM - that speaks a lot to Burke's class and modesty.

The truth of the matter is that for all of the young talent Anaheim has - it would not have resulted in a Stanley Cup this year without two key moves that clearly illustrate why Burke is far and away the best GM in the league - and he's American! Two years ago, Burke surprised the NHL, especially Lou Lamoriello of the Devils, when he signed Scott Niedermayer away from New Jersey. While some members of the media suggested Burke of overpaid for Niedermayer at the time - Burke knew exactly what he was doing - he turned around a short time later and signed brother Rob Niedermayer at a discounted price, because he knew the brothers wanted to play on the same team and win a Cup together.

If that wasn't enough, Burke did what was previously thought to be impossible - in a salary cap world, he managed to find a taker for chronic underachiever Sergei Federov and his "untradeable" $6M+ contract. Burke made headlines when he traded Federov and a fifth round draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Tyler Wright and Francois Beauchemin. If you follow hockey, you know Federov hasn't done much in Columbus and Beauchemin (who was considered a throw-in in the deal) went on to be a key member of the Ducks - one of the league's best number three defenceman and a guy who could be a top two defenceman on most teams.

And if all that wasn't enough - Burke hired coach Randy Carlisle (a former Maple Leaf). Burke deserves as much credit as anyone for this victory...in our opinion, more than anyone. The guy is a champ - what the Maple Leafs could be right now had they signed him a couple of years back.


WEDNESDAY'S THREE STARS
Anaheim Ducks LW Travis Moen finished the series much the same way he started by being voted the first star. Moen scored two goals last night while continuing to frustrate the Tards by checking their stars into the ground.

Detroit Tigers DH Gary Sheffield had three hits, including two home runs, and drove in five runs in the Tigers 10-0 beatdown of the Rangers. Honourable mention goes to Tigers P Justin Verlander who pitched seven shutout innings, limiting the Rangers to five hits and two walks while striking out six.

San Diego Padres P Trevor Hoffman recorded his 500th career save last night - unfortunately it was against Red Sox West. No matter though, Hoffman was always a favourite of ours in NL only roto leagues.


THURSDAY THREE PLAY
We'll we had a tough one yesterday 1-2 and the balance sheet stands at - $180.

Toronto over Tampa Bay - we'll go with the enigma (Burnett) over former Dodgers P Edwin Jackson. Lay $100 on the Jays - $215.

Cleveland over Kansas City - Fausto Carmona at home over Odalis Perez on the road is a no brainer. Lay $100 on Cleveland - $250.

Chicago over New York - we'll take Contreras over Mike Mussina who hasn't been able to beat anyone in like three years. Lay $100 on the White Sox + $110.

Houston over Colorado - we'll go with Roy Oswalt over Josh Fogg. Lay $100 on the Stros - $140.

That's about it for today gang have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

I'm Out.