The Italian Job

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

You can probably guess what the feeling around here is today – disgust. The under-manned Bruins beat the equally under-manned Maple Leafs by a score of 6-2 last night; effectively dealing a deathblow to the Leafs 2007/08 playoff aspirations. It was a game of seventh men – the Leafs had a packed house of rabid Leaf fans on the ice with them, the Bruins had Referee Dan Marouelli on their side.

In games with playoff implications, the prevailing hope is that the officials will let the players decide the outcome of the game and avoid influencing the outcome of it. Dan Marouelli doesn’t want to hear about what fans want – when he “officiates” a game, he is going to be as important as anyone else on the ice with him over the next two to three hours.

Admittedly the Leafs came out flat, save for a burst in the opening minute or so where Darcy Tucker missed a scoring chance on a play that Marouelli calls a penalty 9 times out of 10. It looked like Dan was going to let the players decide the outcome of the game; until the 2:24 mark that is.

Marouelli, obviously kicking himself for not calling a penalty in the opening minute, called Leafs forward Mark Bell for roughing for punching Bruins D Shane Hnidy during a scrum. You would think that a seasoned official like Marouelli would have a pretty good book on most of the players in the league and would know that the MO on Hnidy is that he gets in people’s faces during scrums and goads them into taking a shot at him. That is Hnidy’s niche in the NHL – that and being the toughest looking pussy in the league – he practically begs someone to touch him before his head snaps back at the ref looking for a call. On the odd occasion that he is feeling like a tough guy, he can be spotting jumping someone from behind during a scrum and pounding on them when they are in a prone position – ask Alexei Ponikarovsky (or Hazel, she was at that game a week or so ago).

Marouelli makes the call; the Bruins score on the power play and go into shutdown mode. It was going to be that kind of night for the Leafs, they knew it and played like it. Bryan McCabe was particularly bad last night – but we in Leaf Nation have become accustomed to that. McCabe picked up a delay of game call for flipping a puck into the stands after Boston made it 3-0, and looked like a donkey on an ill-advised pinch in the third period that lead to a Shawn Thornton goal to make it 4-1 Boston.

Be happy B’s fans, you pretty much ended our season – call it The Italian Job. We’ll be sure to return the favour tomorrow night when we visit Boston. Two words gang – Hazel Karma.

TUESDAY’S STAR
Forget Joe Thornton’s hat-trick, Dan Marouelli was the man last night.

WEDNESDAY’S THREE PLAY
A very tough 2-1 last night, while the balance sheet is in the black, I’m feeling particularly blue. Tonight’s suggestions:

Minnesota over Edmonton – the Wild will be looking to avenge a loss to the Oil; they are always a good play at home, especially considering they have won six straight at home against Edmonton. Lay $100 on Minnesota - $220.

Anaheim over Los Angeles – the Ducks have been scuffling a bit of late, but they’ll get things back on track tonight against the Kings – the Ducks have won nine straight at home. Lay $100 on the Ducks - $250.

Col0rado over Vancouver – the Avs have dominated the Canucks this year, and they’ll need that to continue tonight. Avs and Canucks are tied right now, with a head to head game scheduled to take place in Vancouver next week – they absolutely need this game. Lay $100 on the Avs - $170.

That’s it for today gang – thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one.

Hazel, here’s hoping things are groovy in your world.

I’m Out!