Five days before the Grey Cup Championship Game this Sunday, Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach Ken Miller revealed that he suffered from prostate cancer 2 years earlier and underwent treatment during the football season. What a stroke of genius, deflecting attention from his team so that they could focus on the upcoming game against the Montreal Alouettes.
However, this tactic has not fooled us at Head to the Net, and we are not going to lose direction! Don’t be distracted, people, from the fact that Darian Durant is playing in his first Grey Cup Final and the weight of the world is on his shoulders. Don’t forget to ask Jason Clermont about his struggles this year, and how he has faced those inner demons that haunt his dreams every night. Remember to remind each player that their General Manager, Eric Tillman, is embroiled in a sexual assault case, and find out how it has affected the team’s mindset throughout the season. Tell Chris Getzlaf that his brother has a championship ring from the NHL, but he has yet to achieve the ultimate success in his sport.
All of these facts should be brought up and explored before the game, with no stone left unturned. Surviving scrutiny like this is a large part of winning in any professional sport, so let’s not give the Roughriders a pass just because their coach was not well a few years ago. Fans: if you see the players in the street, remind them of what’s at stake! Media: to use a football term – send the blitz!
This post was not intended to make light of the serious issue that is prostate cancer. In fact, I have been growing a mustache for the "Movember" prostate cancer awereness fundraiser, and if you would like to learn about or donate to the cause, please visit my "Mo Space" here.
The 2010 Olympics are taking place in hockey mad Canada, only a short 1 hour flight away from Calgary. One would think that any NHL player would jump at the chance of representing his country in the tournament, in any capacity, but that’s not the case for Flames’ goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff. He doesn’t want to come unless he is assured to be the number 1 goalie for Finland.
Considering he is most likely their best option, with Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom being the only true competition, his comment, “If I'm not going to start for sure, I think I'm going to take that time off and rest," reported in the Calgary Herald, is completely uncalled for. The only thing accomplished is that he shows selfishness and a lack of support for the Finnish hockey program.
So what happens if he is selected to represent his country, starts the first game and plays a stinker? If he is asked to sit the next game out, will he pout? What if he is outplayed in the round robin portion? Is the team obligated to play him in the elimination rounds, just because they promised him the number 1 position? Will he hop on the first flight back to Calgary if he is asked to sit?
Finland hockey should think this through before pushing Kipper into attending. Do they really want such a self-serving, individualistic player on their roster? Come to think of it, do the Calgary Flames even want a player with his attitude? Kiprusoff is obviously not a team player and this mind-set cannot help any team he plays for.
To read CTV's report on this story, click here.
In the days leading up to December 31st, Steve Yzerman, Hockey Canada Executive Director, is going to have a number of tough decisions to make regarding the personnel on the Olympic roster. One big decision that he will leave on head coach Mike Babcock’s shoulders will be choosing the number one goaltender.
Clearly, both Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo will be on the squad, and whoever fills the third spot will be there just for insurance purposes.
Here’s the scenario: on February 16th Luongo will play in Canada’s first game against Norway. On the 18th, Brodeur will start the second against Switzerland. A
nd unless Luongo was a disaster in game 1, he will start again in the third game on the 21st against USA. This might be the other way around, but essentially, whoever plays better in the round robin matches will be the starter for the elimination rounds.
The question is, who will Mike Babcock favor?
The Case for Brodeur:
His history speaks for itself:
- 3 Stanley Cups
- 2002 Olympic Gold Medal
- 2004 World Cup Championship
- 4 Vezina Trophies as NHL’s best goaltender
And he is not slowing down: he already has a 12-6-1 record in the 2009-2010 season.
The Case for Luongo:
Ok, so Luongo’s got nothing on Brodeur’s list of accomplishments, but he has been stuck with the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers for most of his career. So why should Mike Babcock give him the job over the incumbent Brodeur?
It’s his city, it’s his arena, and it’s finally his turn. At 30, he’s in his prime and he has certainly paid his dues, playing backup to Brodeur at the 2004 World Cup and 2006 Olympics.
If there are any nuances to know about the ice rink known as “Canada Hockey Place”, Luongo knows them better than anyone in the world, because to him, it is GM Place, his home arena, year round.
And, wouldn’t it be amazing to hear the Arena masses chanting “LOU” every time he makes a save? Coach Babcock, in the words of Russel Peters: "Be a man, do the right thing."
If you have an opinion on who should start for Canada, let it be heard by voting in the poll question on the right!
Following Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, here is the Canucks’ hot/not list:
HOT:
Mason Raymond:
With 14 points so far, Raymond is finally having his breakout season with the Canucks. Playing with a lot more grit and determination, lately he has looked like a slicker version of Ryan Kesler.
Christian Ehrhoff:
Following a 2 goal, 1 assist performance against the Avalanche, Ehrhoff sits 4th on the Canucks scoring list. An outburst like that can only encourage him to trust his offensive skills and put up more points as the season goes on.
Jannik Hansen:
This is more about what he represents for the team than his personal play: the return of Hansen from his hand injury brings a whole new dimension to the Canucks – a third line that can score.
NOT:
Kyle Wellwood:
Wellwood has 2 points in 19 games, and he is an offensively gifted player! In fairness, he’s been stuck with Tanner Glass and Steve Bernier for most of the season - not much to work with. But what’s really lacking in his game right now? One word: confidence. Hansen might be the serum he needs.
Sami Salo:
With Ehrhoff picking up the slack for the defensemen, one player who has fallen under the radar is Salo. Tied with Kyle Wellwood with just 2 points on the season, Salo is not using this blistering shot to strike fear into opposing goalies and penalty killers. Shoot the puck, Sami!
Alex Burrows:
Burrows hasn’t been the Canucks’ sparkplug like he was last year with only 4 goals in 23 games. Being reunited with the Sedin brothers will change this, and Burrows won’t be on the cold list for long.
Kevin Weekes, retired NHL goaltender, has been working as a colour commentator for the CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada since the beginning of the 2009 season, and his performance really raises questions about the network’s screening process. Is the lone prerequisite simply having been an ex-NHL goalie or coach?
Kevin here is some feedback on some of the comments you made during your most recent performance, November 14 – Vancouver vs. Colorado.
“And folks, sometimes no matter how prepared and how focused you are, you just make mistakes. I mean in the National Hockey League, just like any other level of hockey, guys actually make mistakes.”
Seriously, how dumb is that comment? We’re hockey fans and we’re sports fans. We KNOW that professional athletes make mistakes! We’ve seen Roberto Luongo give up bad goals, we’ve watched Gretzky miss huge shots. This is not insightful!
“Brent Clark has to call Roberto Luongo mister, with a glove save like this. He said Grant Fuhr was his favourite goalie growing up, and it shows here, Mark.”
Uh no… it doesn’t show here, Mark. If you want to show us that you did your homework and talked to Luongo about his childhood, just say it, you don’t need to force the tie-in. And really, mister?
“All glove for Roberto Luongo. He’s got one of the best glove hands in the game, and when he’s able to come out, take a look at him here folks, when he’s able to get out here on top of that crease, he’ll make that save almost every time. Nice glove save by Roberto Luongo.”
First, stop calling us folks. You don’t have to do that in every other comment you make. We know you’re addressing us, and we know we’re folks. Second, are you getting paid by the word? It sure seems like it.
And here is a typical example of your inability to stay on topic and complete a thought:
“Well Darcy Tucker is a leader, and he played for the Kamloops Blazers, he won the Memorial Cup and look at these guys, Cody McLeod and Sami Salo jousting right off the face-off, but, and they get a great opportunity with Darcy Tucker going to the net, nice save by Roberto Luongo to keep a clean sheet for the Canucks.”
By the way, we call it a “shut-out”.
Peter Forsberg will not be coming back to the NHL this year, TSN reported on Monday, but he may yet attempt to make a comeback for the 2010-11 season. If he manages to make it happen, it will be Forsberg’s third time returning from retirement.
We intercepted this email written from the NFL’s Brett Favre to Forsberg yesterday morning:
From: Brett Favre <agelesswonder@hotmail.com>
To: Peter Forsberg <foppa@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:03:56 AM
Subject: comeback…
Pete,
I heard that you’re trying to complete the comeback hat-trick like me! Well here’s some advice: pick a goddam good team - one that’s got great young talent. Just look how great Adrian Peterson is making me look here in Minnesota. The guy is unstoppable, and I’m getting all the credit in the world!
I hear that Ovechkin kid’s pretty good, why don’t you try to be on his team? Or Crosby? Just do what I do – hand it off and let em run! I tell you, these kids are scared of old guys like us, so just yell at em to giver!
Hey, is there anything better than a retirement press conference? And the highlight pack of your career that ESPN puts together? I can’t wait for that again this year. Makes me teary eyed just thinkin about it.
Good luck pal,
Brett
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Enjoy!
On Tuesday November 10, the NHL General Managers began two days of meetings. Publicly, we have heard that the focal point of discussion on day one was the trapezoid behind the goaltenders’ nets. Day two was spent talking about headshots. 
Really TSN experts, do you mean to tell me that the 30 most powerful men in hockey met for two days and all they discussed was a strange four sided shape from geometry class and the same head shot topic that has been talked about since Eric Lindros’ first concussion in 1972?
Luckily, Head to the Net had the meeting room bugged and we found out what really happened:
First, the room is fairly large, and there is a boxing ring situated right at the centre. NHL types believe that a good fist fight is a healthy self-policing method, or sometimes it can be used to switch momentum in negotiations – thus the need for the ring.
On Tuesday morning, Mike Gillis (Vancouver Canucks) and Brian Burke (Toronto Maple Leafs) have arrived in their full boxing gear, ready for the showdown that has been brewing for months. Gillis starts the fight with a couple of quick punches to Burkie’s head. No credit should be given for this, as Burke’s head is so big it’s impossible to miss.
After taking a few blows, Burke ties Gillis up into a headlock.
Burke: give… me… the… Sedins… Mike!
Gillis: Never!
Elsewhere in the room:
Kevin Lowe (Edmonton Oilers’ President) is clinging to the edge of the ring cheering Gillis on and crying death threats at Burke.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also watches from his chair, upon which he’s placed a booster seat.
Ray Shero (Pittsburgh Penguins) and George McPhee (Washington Capitals) are shooting pool
Shero: How you doing, George?
McPhee: Chillin’ bro.
Shero: I hear that. Everyone here is so stressed out, but you and I have the 4 best players in the league locked up to long term contracts. I got no problems with the NHL right now!
McPhee: Cheers to that, bro!
Conversely, Ken Holland (Detroit Red Wings), is on the phone with Steve Yzerman, analyzing the 2010 and 2011 draft prospects lists.
McPhee: Come have a beer with us, Ken! Your team is amazing already! Relax!
Holland: No.
Back at the ring, Gillis has landed a series of body blows, and Burkie’s lapdog, Dave Nonis is becoming very agitated. He pulls out his cell phone:
Nonis: Hi, Ray Emery? I need you! How soon can you been in Toronto? You have to come kick Mike Gillis’ ass.
Emery: You’re looking for the old Ray Emery, my man. I don’t fight anymore. Try calling Chris Chelios and offer him a contract – he’ll do anything to get back in the league.
At the main entrance: Don Maloney is arguing with the security guard.
Maloney: I’m supposed to be in there! You’ve got to let me in!
Security: You said your name is Don Maloney? Your name isn’t on the list, buddy. Who are you, again?
Maloney: I’m the GM of the Phoenix Coyotes! Don’t you know who I am?
Security: No, never heard of you, sir. And these “Coyotes” aren’t even on the list of recognized NHL teams. You sure you’ve got the right place?
The rest of day one continued in a similar fashion. Most of day two was spent debating whether the Toronto Maple Leafs should retain veto power in all votes going forward. They won the vote, using the veto.
According to Head to The Net’s reliable sources, Canucks’ GM Mike Gillis placed a call to Peter Forsberg, who is in Sweden, over the weekend. The following is a transcript:
Mike Gillis: Peter, we really want you to come and play for the Canucks, and I have to stress that playing in Vancouver will be really simple.
Peter Forsberg: Simple? What do you mean?
MG: For starters, we already have 4 Swedish players on the team. Last year we had 5. We’ve made Swedish our official second language, so you don’t even need to learn English if you don’t want.
PF: I lived in North America for 15 years already, Mike. I know English pretty well.
MG: Just in case you forgot, Peter! Or maybe you never liked English! It’s all up to you.
PF: Yeah, sure. Anything else?
MG: Yes. The Olympic Games are in Vancouver in February in our very own back yard – you will live within walking distance of the rink.
PF: Won’t I have to stay in the athletes’ village anyways? All players do. Really, it won’t make a difference.
MG: Crap, you saw through that one. Ok, well don’t tell Roberto or the Sedins about this, it was one of my main selling points for their new contracts. But Peter, we did completely renovate the dressing room this year, it is amazing.
PF: Don’t you have a huge roadtrip both before and after the Olympics, because of all the preparation and take-down time? I’ll never get to spend any time there anyways.
MG: How do you know all of this stuff? Don’t tell me you read the newspaper! Most players hate reading and believe everything I tell them. Signing you could be a lot harder than I thought. I guess I won’t be telling you how mild our weather is, like I told Mats last year. Boy was he upset when he realized it never stops raining.
PF: Don’t worry, my other choice is Philadelphia. If anything is more dreary than Vancouver, that’s the place. I’ll probably just flip a coin when the time comes to decide. Good luck, Mike!
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There is also a new poll: who will be Canada's starting goalie at the Olympic games? Weigh in now!
Last night during the Canucks vs. Wild game, Tommy Larscheid let it be known that GM Mike Gillis is very interested in pursuing the services of Peter Forsberg for the rest of the Canucks season. Gillis spoke with Larscheid before the game, and told him that most of the Canucks’ pro-scouting staff is currently in Sweden, watching Forsberg’s progress, as he competes in an international tournament. Today, the Team 1040 radio station mentioned that Mike Gillis and Lawrence Gillman may have travelled to Sweden as well, as the Canucks are pursuing this with all they’ve got.
defensemen with his size and strength. One of the best power forwards the league has ever seen, he was that rare combination of size, skill, vision, and the one intangible he had more than anyone else – intensity. One look at his eyes was enough to scare opponents into submission, and if that didn’t do it, a single bone-crushing body check would.I originally designed this jersey to help Gillis sign the Sedins this past summer, and it was obviously the deciding factor in the end. It will work on Forsberg too. “Peter the Great” playing for the Canucks – please Mike, make it happen.
Oftentimes, Vancouver Canucks’ head coach, Alain Vigneault, will make decisions that leave us scratching our heads. Usually, however, his actions carry an underlying message. Here, we’re going to help you interpret some of his latest moves, in our new segment: “Reading between Coach V’s lines”.
What Coach V did: Defenseman Kevin Bieksa has been moved from defenseman to forward due to the many injuries that the Canucks are dealing with.
What he was thinking: “Since you love jumping into the offensive play without a thought to your defensive responsibilities, you can just play forward and forget about defense all together.”
What Coach V did: Kyle Wellwood was taken off the power play for the first two periods of Tuesday’s game.
What he was thinking: “I don’t care if you’re a ‘powerplay specialist,’ Kyle, if you keep giving the puck away you get to be a third line specialist."
(note, Wellwood played his way back onto the powerplay in the third period, and looked more motivated in his return)
What Coach V did: He demoted Sergei Shirokov from the Canucks to the minor league Manitoba Moose despite all the injuries and the Canucks’ desperate need for offense.
What he was thinking: "You seem to want to play like a kid, so you can just go play with the kids."
November 1, 2009
Report by Omar Rawji
In the fourth and final game of the series against USA on Sunday morning, Team Canada finally came out with the start they wanted, and they built a 2-0 lead by the 26th minute. The final score was 3-1 Canada after a second half that was a test for the team’s defensive resolve, as they played shorthanded for much of it.
Mark Pearson led the offense with two goals - the first coming off an interception by Ranjeev Deol, who passed it to Pearson for the finish. Considering that the team that has been stressing the importance of capitalizing on counters, it was particularly satisfying.
““We talked in the pre-game about working on our fast breaks and getting more out of our counter opportunities,” said Pearson. “Sure enough, four minutes in, a turnover came to Jeevers (Deol), who played a lovely ball through to me, and I just ran in and smashed it by the goalie.” His second came in the 26th minute, on a great play by Taylor Curran.
“The second one was a good buildup – the ball got to Taylor, he made a nice turn coming in on the two-on-one and he just fed it across far post. It was a good ball, and I was just in there to dive in and score.”
The second half was defined by Canada’s yellow cards, which started with a cautioning to Keegan Pereira in the 51st minute. Mark Erickson would subsequently be carded in the 55th minute, followed by Pearson in the 57th – making Canada play down by two men for five minutes and by one for an additional six.
”That was a bit of a turning point, and they cranked up the heat a little bit and started pressing, but I think we got out of it pretty good,” said Canadian Head Coach Alan Brahmst.
Immediately before Pereira’s cautioning, he played a large role in creating the team’s final goal, as he swiftly ran the ball up the left side and into the D, crossing it towards Ian Smyth who dove in attempt to finish the play, resulting in a penalty corner. Captain Scott Tupper would take the corner and score the 3-0 goal, as the team went one-for-three on short corner opportunities.
With many of Canada’s veterans not in attendance for this game, the young guns played a prominent role. Mark Erickson and Jesse Watson played the entire match, and Connor Meakin, Taylor Curran, Pereira, and Smyth all played significant minutes. Coach Brahmst had particular praise for the play of Meakin and Curran, who are showing impressive improvement as their confidence rises.
Team captain Scott Tupper looked at the stretch of penalties in a positive light, “I think we kept our cool, we didn’t do too bad being down by 2 men. I think in a way it’s a good learning experience because that could happen in a tournament.”
Coach Brahmst was also pleased at his team’s response: “I think the boys did a fantastic job playing two men down – we were playing with eight guys out there,” he said. “There was about 10-15 minutes where the US was pushing and they did some good things.”
On the series as a whole, Brahmst was impressed with the American’s efforts, “The US definitely improved over the four games, but we improved too, and we just stayed ahead of them.”
Worth noting, Dave Jameson celebrated his 25th birthday in front of a nice group of hometown supporters. His moment of glory, to them, came in the 68th minute when he blocked a penalty corner shot off his knee.
“It was great, he took one for the team, and you have to do those things,” said Susan Paterson, the most vocal member of the DJ fanclub. “We are so proud to have his face on our shirts.”
Following an intense month of matches against India and USA, the team has 25 days to rest before they leave for Argentina to resume their pre-World Cup training regimen. In the meantime there will be plenty of analysis of the games, and there will be more to come on this in the upcoming days.
Scoring Summary:
3’ – CAN Pearson, Mark (FG) 1-0 Canada
26’ – CAN Pearson, Mark (FG) 2-0 Canada
51’ – CAN Tupper, Scott (PC) 3-0 Canada
56’ – USA Coolidge, Nate (PC) 3-1 Canada
