Tuesday, April 18, 2017
A Potpourri of Sport in the Spring
So many
avenues, so little time!
A couple of
weeks ago, equipment managers packed up the trucks and headed north
with baseball equipment so that Major League teams could begin their
pursuit of a World Championship. The object of that exercise was to
make sure that everything was in place for a successful start to the
season.
For the
Toronto Blue Jays, most fans are waiting for the good times. In order
to succeed at this level, all important aspects of the game must be
applied at the same time. Thus far in their dreadful season, the Jays
have not been knocking on all cylinders, rhythmically. Some days,
good pitching and no bats. Other days, good offence, and bad
pitching. Then there are days of poor defence, bad judgement. Not a
lot to inspire confidence. Twelve games into the season with two
victories, unexpected, and unacceptable.
For Leaf
fans, these are exciting times. They knew that the Washington
Capitals would be tough in this playoff series. But the Leafs emerged
from the Easter weekend knotted at a game apiece, with lots of
energy. Kasperi Kapanen and Tyler Bozak both scored in overtime to
give the Leafs a lead in the series, Toronto's most important playoff
goals in many years. The Senators and the Bruins are also in a
battle. But the Sens also have a 2-1 lead, thanks to overtime goals
from Bobby Ryan and Dion Paneuf.
The
Canadiens have moved ahead of the Rangers by one game in that series.
The Ducks lead Calgary 3-0, The young Oilers have moved ahead of the
Sharks 2-1. The Penguins and the St. Louis Blues now have commanding
3-0 leads. The Predators have proved to be stubborn opponents for the
Hawks, leading 3-0 in that series. In the playoffs, especially if you
have a hot goalie, anything can happen.
Discussing Strategy
Canadian
golfers fared well this past weekend. Alena Sharp finished one shot
out of second place in the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii. She banked
slightly more than $ 80 000 for her work. Brooke Henderson finished
five shots back of Sharp, pocketing $ 33 000.
Stephen Ames
Stephen
Ames, now playing out of Vancouver, won the Champions Tour event in
Georgia by four strokes, picking up $ 270 000. Rod Spittle recovered
from a disastrous first round to post two par rounds to finish the
tournament. Graham DeLaet was on the leader board for most of the RBC
Heritage tournament in Hilton Head, South Carolina. He finished 3
strokes off the pace, and pocketed $ 217 000. Adam Hadwin and Nick
Taylor bot picked up $65 00 for their efforts. David Hearn won $ 14
000, flying the Canadian colours.
The Toronto
Raptors opened their playoff series this past weekend against the
Milwaukee Timberwolves. They dropped the first game in Toronto,
97-83, and play again Tuesday night in Hogtown. They surely do not
want to drop that game. The western shores of Lake Michigan could be
mighty unfriendly.
If I have
not touched on your favourite sport, I apologize. This little brain
can only handle a few things at a time.
Hope you had
a fine Easter weekend. We hit the road a week from today. See you
soon!
James Hurst
April 18,
2017.
# posted by James Hurst @ 6:07 AM 
