Paddock Out to Pasture

The Ottawa Senators sent head coach John Paddouck out to pasture. Fed up with the Sens grazing not gobbling up victories, General Manager Bryan Murray fired his bench boss. Murray didn't have to look far and wide for a replacement; he is grabbing hold of the coaching reins. It's familiar territory; he coached the Helmet Heads for 2 seasons before becoming GM. The Sens slippery slide from atop the Eastern Conference continues. Assistant Coach Ron Low was also sacked.

Leafs vs. Panthers. 27.02.08

The Toronto Maple Leafs are frequent flyers in their annual flight to finish 9th in the East! They have won 5 of their last 6 games, 6 points out of a playoff spot.

Some in Leafs Nation have been drinking the kool-aid, eating the 'shrooms and think the Leafs are now playoff contenders. Seriously - no drug can be THAT powerful.

The Buds nipped away at the Panthers' heels Wednesday night, taking 2 points. Jeremy Williams scored the first Leafs goal. Williams now holds the record for a quirky stat: he is the only NHLer to have scored a goal a game in an NHL games in 3 separate years.

It was yet again, Mats Sundin donning his Captain Clutch Helmet to steal the game. Sundin's second of the game, with barely a minute remaining in regulation, tied the game. Tomas Kaberle was the lone scorer in the shootout, sealing the deal for the Leafs.

Now Appearing in the Swimsuit Issue - Miss Remember

If I were to blog about Roger Clemens and the he said/he said steroid scandal running amok in the halls of Congress, it would be a short post indeed. Along the lines of...some players got juiced, they lied, they were caught, get on with life.

However, my assignment is to write one. I must find a way to turn my indifference into an emotional, response generating rant.

Sports and politics aside, what really got to me during the Clemens congressional hearings was the most unmanly thing I've seen an athlete do in a long time. Clemens ditched the blame over to HIS WIFE. Maybe some guys didn't pick up on it, but she had the spousal stare of death in her eyes. I would too if my husband blamed me for the biggest foul of his career.

Roger Clemens attempted to deflect the steroid/H-G-H debacle from himself to his wife. Mr. Clemens claims Mrs. Clemens(maybe not for long!)took them to boost her physique for a swimsuit spread. Note to Roger - that's Miss November not misremember!

How Debbie Clemens can play along with this charade is beyond me. If my spouse stood before a hearing and brought my name into it without merit, I'd have to say something. I would have to defend myself not to Congress but to the media, the public, and above all, myself.

I could not sit silently while my husband has the chance to clear his name(whether he's successful or not)by slinging mud on mine. If it were true, that I took them and to my knowledge my hubby never did, I'd say it. I'd say it because I matter, because my spouse matters.

People are forgiving. We love to see celebrities rise, fall, and rise again because it makes us feel better. If Mr. and Ms. Multi-Millionaire can fuck things up, admit it, and move on, we love that stuff. It rememinds us that money isn't all it takes.

A pair of balls big enough to tell the truth is worth more than money. Hopefully someone in the Clemens household figures that out.

Clemens' Most Important Pitch

Roger Clemens continues to pitch his version of the truth at today's House Committee hearings.

Clemens and former trainer Brian McNamee gave conflicting reports regarding the pitcher's alleged use of steroids.

Under tough questioning McNamee asserted that he injected Clemens at least 16 times. Former teammate Andy Pettitte's affidavit offered supporting information.

McNamee confirmed he has needles and bandages allegedly used by Clemens and offered them for DNA testing.

The star pitcher's adamant denials of steroid use and his poor memory paint a very different picture. Clemens is convinced Pettitte "misremembered" their H-G-H talks.

Hearings continue.

It Won't Be All Hockey Talk

Sincerest apologies to my fellow female hockey fans at hlog.blogspot.com

I have to throw some non-hockey posts into hockeytalkie. Don't blame me! One of my school assignments is writing a sports blog; instead of creating a new one I'll use what I have.

No matter what sports I'm asked to blog about, rest assured hockey will always be the heart of my sporty soul.

Another Mogilny Rant

People who say Alexander Mogilny shouldn't be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame make my blood boil.

Legends including Tikhonov and Tretiak consider the issue a no brainer, so why do some self proclaimed hockey experts fail to see the light?

We all know I'm biased when it comes to hockey's original Alexander the Great, so I'll hit you with the info AGAIN.

Mogilny's talent shone all the from dingy industrial Khabarovsk to General Tikhonov at CSKA Hockey Headquarters in Moscow. The same independent streak that often landed AlMo is military hot water got him to freedom in the West. People tend to forget that he wasn't just another disgruntled Soviet citizen who found a way out; he was an officer in the Soviet Army. They tend to shoot deserters.

The fact that this upstart Junior Lieutenant(even if it was in name only)managed to sneak away from tyrannical Tikhonov and the watchful eyes of the KGB is incredible. I'll be putting in anadvance order on that book!

While hockey fans recognise Mogilny as the first Soviet hockey player to defect from communism's clutches, how many can name the last? Hint: his initials are A.G.M. Yep, Alexander Gennadevitch Mogilny. You see, after he flew the Russian roost, Soviet authorities finally allowed players to leave for the West. After Mogilny, they didn't have to defect.

Whilst waxing poetic about Mogilny's determination is great, that doesn't get a guy into the HHOF. His accomplishments speak for themselves:

a) first Soviet hockey player to defect
b)top player at World Juniors
c)gold medal in World Jrs.
d) gold medal in Worlds
e) gold medal in Olympics
f) Stanley Cup winner with New Jersey

He would have been the first Russian to reach 100 NHL points if not for injury. When Srgei Fedorov achieved that milestone, the first words out of his mouth were that he shared the honour with Alex, because he should have had it.

While Mogilny may not have record setting stats, he is a prime example of the sum being equal to more than the parts.