Monday, April 11, 2016
Beginnings and Endings, Spring 2016
Topps 2016 Opening Dy card, "Bat Flip"
In
the early days of April, seasons close, seasons open. Seasons of
sport, naturally.
The
doors closed last night on the Boston Bruins. The Flyers and the
Wings crept into the playoff hunt. The Wings kept their magnificent
streak alive, with their 25th playoffs on the horizon. The
Ottawa Senators played the spoilers role, netting four goals in eight
minutes in the second period to sink the Bostonians.
The
Florida Panthers have just completed their most successful season.
They have great goaltending with Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya. I
have always maintained that a team must have two fine goalies. Check
that with any avid Habs fan. The rats poured onto the ice Saturday
night after the Panthers beat the Hurricanes 5-2. Aaron Ekblad scored
his 15th goal, and Huberdeau added his 20th.
They are geared up for the playoffs.
I
hear a fair amount of weeping, and gnashing of teeth from northern
areas. There is this feeling that something is not right because
there are no Canadian cities in the playoffs. Hogwash. Predictions
are made that television ratings will lower. Could be true. There are
many factors that have contributed to this: drafting, coaching,
management, team chemistry, fan support, injuries....I would like to
see more Canadian teams in the hunt. As you know, there are several
American teams with more Canadians on their rosters than Canadian
teams. Thus, I have little concern about this aspect. Follow the
players, not the cities. In most cases, that would be Andrew Shaw,
and the Hawks, and Nick Cousins and the Philadelphia Flyers.
The
basketball season comes to a close on Wednesday night, as does the
career of Kobe Bryant. He has just completed his farewell tour, so we
can now concentrate on David Ortiz and his tour. The Toronto Raptors
have played well all season, and are rewarded with home court
advantage to begin the playoffs. Eventually, they will have to get by
the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James to play the western teams.
Not an easy chore.
The
Golden State Warriors are posed to win the west, especially after
their dramatic victory over the Spurs in San Antonio. It was the sole
loss at home for the Spurs this year. The NBA playoffs will be
exciting this year.
The
Forida Everblades open their playoff season against the Wheeling
(West Virginia) Nailers this coming weekend. The Blades passed out
their team hardware last weekend. Former Duke Anthony Peters received
the trophy as their most valuable player.
And
the baseball season has officially begun, with the Blue Jays playing
.500 ball thus far. We attended their last game in Tampa Bay. It
followed the game that was decided by replay, when Bautista was ruled
to have interfered while sliding into second base. The right call,
in my opinion.
Tampa
Bay is a great place to watch baseball, and you will not have any
trouble getting a great seat at a decent price. The Rays have a
decent team, as are all of the other teams in the American League
East. Currently, the Orioles lead the pack. No one expected that.
Most pundits have chosen the Jays to repeat. It certainly won't be
easy.
The
golf season's first major tournament wrapped up last weekend. Jordan
Spieth appeared headed for victory when he faltered on the twelfth
hole. He rushed a couple of shots, lost his edge, and ended the hole
with a quadruple bogey. England's Daniel Willett won the tourney, and
received the green jacket from Spieth. Great to watch, not the upset,
but the drama.
# posted by James Hurst @ 8:47 PM 
