An A-hole is an A-hole is an A-hole

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

"Boys, an A-hole is an A-hole is an A-hole - don't ever forget that." My best friend's crusty old Irish father spoke these words of wisdom to us, years ago, when we were impressionable teenagers. They are words to live by when you meet and deal with people in your day-to-day life or happen to read the Sports section of your favourite newspaper.

With that in mind, and given that it was a pretty bad night from our perspective (Leafs losing in Philadelphia to the crap heel Flyers), we turn our attention to Toronto's self-proclaimed "only objective hockey observer in the GTA" Mr. Damien Cox.

If you check in regularly, you know that Mr. Cox pulls double duty at Hazel's hometown paper - serving as associate editor and "columnist". Damien is a curmudgeon at the best of times and an A-hole most other times. Damien checked in this morning to advise Leaf Nation that the Maple Leafs' 2007/08 season is pretty much a wash - just short of the mid-way point of the season.

In his typical smug style, Cox points out that the Leafs 2-3-2 road trip is a preview of things to come in the second half. Damien, as he is wanton to do, focuses on the slump of a few of the Leafs notables and points to their 12th place standing in the Eastern Conference as a reason to give up on the season. Yeppers, being one point out of eighth spot and just two points out of 5th spot is reason enough to pack it in if you are a member of Leaf Nation - Hazel, if you are checking in., do you hear that?

According to Cox, the deficit the Leafs find themselves in is for all intents and purposes - insurmountable.

You could almost see his smug little smirk when he typed his last character on the entry. The sad thing is that his content is largely predicated on pointing out all of the negatives when it comes to the Maple Leafs - when the Leafs are winning, he falls strangely silent. To put it in terms most of you in Red Sox Nation would understand - he's a wanna-be Dan Shaughnessy; only, he doesn't know enough about anything to come off as controversial.

Thanks for consistently being an A-hole Damien.


THURSDAY'S THREE STARS
Minnesota Wild G Niklas Backstrom made 46 saves in a 3-2 win over Phoenix yesterday.

Pittsburgh Penguins D Sergei Gonchar had the game winner in a 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals.

And a few SenaTards had good performances last night.

That's right...our three stars are related to yesterday's three play picks. Speaking of which


FRIDAY THREE PLAY
We were 3-1 last night - meaning the total for the week is + $200 if you took our suggestions - kudos to you if you ignored our Maple Leafs pick. Tonight's suggestions:

Carolina over Boston - the Canes possess the one quality the Bruins struggle with, team speed. The Canes quick forwards should generate plenty of scoring chances against Boston's somewhat slow D. Lay $100 on the Canes - $165.

Buffalo over New Jersey - we don't often suggest going against the Devils at home, but the Sabres have dominated New Jersey in the last 20 odd games - so go with the trend. Lay $100 on the Sabres +125.

San Jose over St. Louis - the Sharks have been unbelieveable on the road lately, winning seven in a row to improve to 13-3-2 - best to go with them while they are smoking. Lay $100 on the Sharks - $125.

That's it for today gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Apologies for a Toronto-centric entry...this week's NFL pool has taken all the attention.

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world.

We're Out!