Tuesday, December 19, 2017
The Senators Have Arrived!!
Because of
my wandering nature, I had not been able to attend a Belleville
Senators game until this past weekend. I was not quite sure what to
expect, in the overall picture, but I did know that there would be
darn good hockey. I was not disappointed in the least.
Many of the
fans that I have spoken to have tried to make comparisons to the
Belleville Bulls. To jog your memory just a little, the Bulls were an
OHL team that was unceremoniously yanked from the city at the end of
the 2014-2015 season. Then there was that hockey void. Season ticket
holders got irritable in mid-September of that year, There was really
nothing in the vicinity to fill the void. A few headed off to
Peterborough to watch the Hamilton team play the Petes. Or perhaps
they headed east to watch the remnants of the Bulls up against the
Kingston Frontenacs.
All that
changed, dramatically, about a year ago when it was announced that an
American Hockey League franchise was moving to Belleville, That would
mean that the city would be hosting the best hockey it had ever
hosted. In the late 1950s, the Belleville McFarlands played at the
OHA Senior “A” level. Some of their players had played in the
American League, some even in the NHL.
Initially,
it was a little hard to fathom. As far as we knew, the powers-that-be
had been able to break a rental arrangement in Binghampton, New York,
and move that franchise to the confines of the Yardmen Arena.
Magically, hockey had returned to Belleville in a big way.
Commitments
were made to make the rink acceptable to the standards of the league.
Sadly, as far as I was concerned, they reduced the size of the ice
surface to NHL standards. For 34 years, we had become accustomed to
the Olympic size. It led to a certain type of play, often capitalized
by the host team. The Bulls were often built to suit the ice size;
speed, great passing, wide open play. It would have been nice to see
an AHL team with that advantage.
All of the
parties got to the proverbial discussion tables, and agreements were
solidified. In the Winter Issue of Watershed Magazine,
Orland French supplies the details of the agreements. Those in favour
of the Senators in Belleville will tell you about the economic
spin-offs that will make this viable to the city. The detractors will
tell you that the city has sold the farm with the deal.
The
rink looks great. Capacity has been expanded to 4 500, give or take.
The hockey is exceptional. The team had a rough go last year, and the
pundits did not have high expectations for the Baby Sens. But they
have had a reasonable year thus far, playing .500 hockey. The play is
much faster than junior hockey; the hitting is harder; the passes are
crisper; the shooting straighter and faster;the players are larger
and older.
The
Senators scored twice in nine seconds near the end of the second
period to tie the game. The Manitoba Moose proved that they are the
top team in the league by burying four unanswered goals in tn the
third period to take the win.
Many
of the players on both teams have had a couple of cups of coffee or
two in the National Hockey League. According to the whims and desires
of the parent club, at any time any of the Baby Sens could be
traveling along the 401, north on 416 to the Canadian Tire Centre in
Ottawa. It is a capricious life.
Thus
far, the Sens have played Toronto, Syracuse, Manitoba, Hartford,
Hershey, Providence, Charlotte, Laval, Rochester, Springfield, Utica,
Lehigh Valley, and Binghampton. They will face other teams, just not
all of them. Eventually they will have road trips to California. No
one will complain, in mid-February.
Get to the
rink. Enjoy the great hockey!!
James Hurst
Thursday, December 14, 2017
One of the Greatest Moments in Baseball
Roger Maris and Tracy Stallard
In 1961, on
the last day of the baseball season, Roger Maris hit a pitch on a 2-0
count into the short porch seats at Yankee Stadium to break Babe
Ruth's home run record. He was encouraged to leave the dugout,
several times, by his teammates to receive the accolades of the fans.
They played
162 games that season, whereas Ruth played 154 games. Some felt there
should have been an asterisk beside the record. My personal opinion
is that his record stands today. It has been broken since, but only
by players who are in the steroid group. What I mean by that is those
that have admitted to using steroids, and those who unquestionably
used them to enhance performances.
It was a
struggle for Maris to get to that point. Throughout the season, he
and Mickey Mantle battled for the home run lead. Mantle was a fan
favourite in New York. In fact. Maris received threats as the two of
them headed down the stretch to the end of the season. Mantle
eventually hit 54 home runs.
The
achievement took its toll on Maris. Most athletes suffer when they
have a special record within their grasp. They lose sleep, they often
experience significant hair loss, they have difficulty concentrating
on tasks, the are known to be most irritable. There is a great relief
when the goal is achieved.
There is a
similarity between hockey and baseball in this regard. When a hockey
player scores a significant goal, the name of the goaltender is often
quoted in the pursuit. In baseball, it is the pitched. Maris hit his
home run off Tracy Stallard.
Stallard was
in his first major league season with the Boston Red Sox. His
reaction to that particular game is truly remarkable. “I'm not
going to lose any sleep over it,” he said after the game. He
pitched the first seven innings of the game, which the Yankees won
1-0. “I'd rather he hit a homer off me than I walk him.”
Later on, in
1998, when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were in the process of
smashing the home run mark, Stallard reflected on his game against
the Yankees. “I don't have any shame at all. I lost the game 1-0,
and I didn't feel any thing about it. People are always trying to
read something into it. But it has never bothered me to talk about
it.”
Stallard had
been signed by the Red Sox out of high school in 1956. He made his
first major league start in 1960.
Remarkably,
there were plenty of empty seats in Yankee Stadium that day, with a
recorded attendance of 23, 154.
Stallard
spent most of the 1962 season in the Red Sox farm system. He also
pitched for the Mets, and the Cardinals. He finished his major league
career with a record of 30 wins and 57 losses. He owned a coal
business and worked for a construction company.
He became
friends with Maris as the years went by. Maris died of cancer when he
was 51, in 1985.
Tracy
Stallard passed away last Wednesday in Kingsport, Tennessee. He was
80 years old.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
NHL Alumni at the Essroc Centre
Last Friday
night, several members of the NHL Alumni group took the ice at the
Essroc Arena to play against the local “Law Enforcement All Stars”.
The game was in aid of the Special Olympics for Ontario.
We were a
bit late getting to the arena, and I was pleasantly surprised to see
that there were very few seats available at that time. That bode well
for the Special Olympics, as a cheque for more than $ 4 000 was
turned over prior to the game.
Walter
Gretzky was in attendance, carefully signing autographs in the foyer
for young and old hockey fans. I doubt that anyone in Canada has
signed more autographs.
His son
Brent suited up for the Alumni. Brent played several games for the
Tampa Bay Lightning. A former Belleville Bull, he was part of the
Gretzky connection in this area, His brother Keith also played for
the Bulls. The oldest brother. I think his name is Wayne, was once
part owner of the team with Dr. Vaughan.
Since Mark LaForest went to all of the trouble to suit up as a goaltender, Ron Tugnutt did a decent job as a skater!!
Other Alumni
on hand were: Mark La Forest, Tom Fergus, Ron Tugnott, Gilbert
Dionne, Al Iafrate, Nik Antropov, Rick Vaive, Dave “Tiger”
Williams, and Mike Krushelnyski. Dave Hutchinson wore the striped
shirt and gave a running commentary throughout the game, similar to
the work that “Red” Storey did many years ago.
LaForest
took the puck on his stick in the first period, skated out of his
net, deked a couple of guys and got as far as the opposition blueline
before ffeding a perfect pass. That brought the crowd out of its
seats!!
The crowd
really enjoyed the game, focusing on the play of the former NHLers:
smooth skating, intricate patterns, quick shots mixed with plenty of
comedy.
A good time
was had by all!
Thursday, December 07, 2017
The Hero World Challenge
Tiger Woods and Rickie Fowler
I trust you
are enjoying this incredible early December weather. I am certain
that some of you wish that you could get out on the golf course one
last time before the snow flies. Some of you might be lucky enough to
escape to the south to play. Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and many
places in Florida beckon to relieve you of some of your hard-earned
cash as you meander around those links.
There are
plenty of wonderful golf courses in the islands of the Caribbean. The
Bahamas is a favourite location for golfers from all over the world.
The Hero Wold Challenge was played last week in New Providence in the
Bahamas. It is a PGA event. Sort of. It is an invitational event,
with only 18 players invited to play.
Golf Channel
carried hours of the event, and they were rewarded with some exciting
play at the event. Some of you may contest my use of the word
exciting in relationship to the game of golf. Be that as it may, many
of you love the game, and were following the exploits of Tiger Woods
at the event.
The
tournament was Tiger's first opportunity to play four rounds of golf,
in tournament play, in an awfully long time. He has been nagged by an
aching back, and has had extensive work on it, including surgery. He
is now 41 years old, not necessarily ancient by golfing standards.
But he realizes that the young Turks are barking at the door to
become the leaders in the game. He has his work cut out for him if he
wishes to compete at the highest level.
Tiger more
than proved himself last weekend. He scored well on the first two
rounds to be in contention for the lead. The third round, however,
was his undoing, as he shot 75 in blustery conditions. A good score
on the final round resulted in his tie for ninth in the tournament.
Rickie Fowler torched the course on Sunday, shooting a 61 to win the
tournament.
Charley
Hoffman finished in second place. Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood
tied for third. Hideki Matsuyama. Patrick Reed, and Justin Rose
finished together in a tie for fifth place.
Most of the
attention was focused on Tiger Woods. I assure you, if he stays
healthy, that will be the case the entire 2018 season. For several
reasons, the golfing public is fascinated by Mr. Woods. He is a
controversial figure, loved by some, shall we say not so loved by
others.
One of my
good friends in Belleville is my golf consultant. His name is Al
Stitt, and he is a student of the game. He is also a fine player,
regularly shoots his age, (75), and has won several championships. He
believes that Tiger could win a PGA event this season. He also feels
that age will play a part in Tiger's continued golf career.
Several
years ago, at the annuak PGA Golf Show in Orlando, Al spoke at length
with one of Tiger's former golf teachers, Hank Haney, about life on
the golf course. Haney's book, “The only golf lesson you will ever
need” is a good one for all golfers. Haney teaches that a “one
plane swing” is critical to your success. Essentially, your arms,
the shaft, and the club face should move in a straight line for
consistent success.
Haney became
Tiger's former coach when he tried to get Woods to change his swing.
He wanted a more fluid motion, one that would put less stress on the
body to make his career more sustainable, with perhaps less stress on
his back.
The proof
will be in the pudding. In the meantime, hit 'em straight.
James Hurst
December 4,
2017
Sunday, December 03, 2017
Grey Cup Weekend-2017
With Mark Seale
It is true
that the Grey Cup game on Sunday was another wonderful sporting
event, and well worth the writing.
I would like
to begin this column with a note about the Vanier Cup, the
championship game held annually to decide the best team in Canadian
University football. The Western Mustangs from London, Ontario
defeated the Laval Rouge et Or to win the Cup this past Saturday.
Both of these teams have always been perennially strong. Laval won
the title in 2016, but also won in 2013 and 2012, looking back over
the past few years.
I have
attended several Vanier Cups, going back to the days in the late
Sixties when my alma mater, Queen's
University was a force. I
had attended Western after I had completed Teachers' College in
Peterborough in 1963. Queen's had great football teams in those days,
led by quarterback Cal Connor. They also had magnificent festivities
after the games, enough to induce me to transfer to the Kingston
campus. I went to the Vanier Cup to see Mike Schad in his final
college game as a Golden Gael, only to discover that he would be
watching the game in a wheelchair.
My
brother David and I sat with our wives in the end zone at Varsity
Stadium on Bloor Street in Toronto. It was a nasty day, so bad that
those in charge were letting field goals and converts remain in the
stands. The Gaels lined up a field goal aiming directly at our
section. The batter fluttered up towards us. I took out a would-be
receiver so that my brother could catch the ball. I would have been
penalized were I on the field.
David
caught the ball, and darted out the exit to put it in his car. As he
left the stadium, two mounted Metro policeman cornered him, asking
for the ball. After a short pursuit, which ended at a locked
residence door, David had to give up the ball. Adding insult to
injury, he had to pay to get back into the stadium top join us.
The
Mustangs defeated Laval 39-17 for the 2917 championship, the first
title for veteran coach Greg Marshall. He has been in the coaching
ranks in colleges and the Canadian Football League for many
years-finally a title.
We
flew into Ottawa a couple of days before the game. We ran into Mark
Seale, who was on our flight. He was roughly 6' 6”, and a shade
over 250 pounds. Leave it up to me to ask the obvious: “Did you
play football?” Indeed he did, for several years in the CFL,
winning a Cup with Winnipeg in 1988. He also told me that he played
Pee Wee hockey in Belleville, a few years ago.
On
Sunday afternoon, the rest of the nation prepared for the 105th
Grey Cup. The Toronto Argonauts had risen from the depths earlier in
the season to challenge for the title, although they were clearly the
underdogs in this game. Their manager Jim Popp, and their coach Marc
Trestman signed on this year, after years with the Alouettes. The
Calgary Stampeders came east to Ottawa to avenge a difficult loss in
the Grey Cup game last year. They were favoured to win the game.
There
is an expression related to Hogtown called “The Argo Bounce”. The
ball does not always fall in favour of the Double Blue. But on
Sunday, in the heavy snow falling in Ottawa, the Argonauts clearly
got the breaks.
Playing
conditions were dreadful. Most of the lines, and the advertising
markings on the field were covered in snow. Commentators suggested
that ball control would be a key factor to the game. No kidding. And
yet, there were no turnovers until late in the fourth quarter.
Calgary fumbled near the Toronto goal line, Cassius Vaughn scooped up
the ball and ran 109 yards to the Calgary end zone. The two point
convert tied the game.
With
49 seconds left in the game, Lirim Hajirullahu punched a 32 yard
field goal through the uprights to seal the deal for the Argos,
27-24. A last ditch effort by the Stamps resulted in an interception
in the End Zone. Heartbreaking for the Westerners.
Half
time entertainer Shania Twain was brilliant. A step or two above
Gordon Lightfoot!
The
parties have just begun in Toronto. Meet the team on Tuesday at the
City Hall Square. The same location where the Leafs will celebrate,
some day!
James
Hurst
November
27, 2017.
