Visions of Greatness

NHL – Great win for Carolina last night!!! Absolutely amazing game experience. Anyone who claims hockey is boring on TV, show them last night’s game. True you need a screen with decent size and it may help to stand up as I did for most of the game, but wow, it is anything but boring. Your adrenaline pumps for 30 seconds when the Canes take the puck up the ice, then you cringe in fearful agony for the following 30 seconds when the Oilers launch their attack. The game was a marathon of wrecked emotions.

Cam Ward is the reincarnation of Patrick Roy. And he’s only 22 years old.
Memo to ‘Canes: Lock him up to a long-term contract. Fast.

Jim Rutherford: There’s a reason the man won The Sporting News’ Executive of the Year. Not only the brilliant acquisitions of Weight and Recchi, but the entire assembly of this Hurricane squad, including two shutout-caliber goaltenders in Ward and Gerber. Any question as to the importance of two goaltenders can be answered by looking across the ice at the Edmonton squad.

Horrible sight last night seeing Roloson’s hit. I’m sorry he is knocked out of the Finals. Yes, I want Carolina to win, but I want them to beat Edmonton at their best.

Did not know much about Edmonton coming into the Series except that their coach is Craig MacTavish. I remember watching him play. Why? He was the last player to skate without a helmet. In other words if he was their coach I knew they’d be tough. However I had no idea they’d be as physically imposing as they were last night. The Canes threw some “slobber knockers” of their own, like the hit from Commodore, but Pronger and Laraque are beasts – 6’6” 220 and 6’3” 255 respectively.

Pronger’s penalty shot was thing of beauty. Like most professionals, he made it look so easy. A man that size should not be as graceful as that. He literally glides when he skates.

NBA – As much as I want Miami to win, I am afraid Dallas carries too many weapons. It is going to be a fantastic Clash of the Titans. Dallas won’t be able to match up with the inside dominance of Shaq, and Miami won’t be able to slow down the up-tempo firepower of the Mavs. Dallas wins the title in Game 7.

Love both coaches in this battle. Riley is a true disciple of Sun Tzu’s Art of War and Avery Johnson is a master strategist and motivator in his own right. Can’t wait to see these two match wits.

Great to see Shaq Diesel in the Finals again. It was always complete nonsense to hear the argument Shaq and Kobe can’t win without each other. Of course they can, however Kobe always needed Shaq more than the other way around. Why? People want to play with Shaq. Look at the chemistry between him and Wade. No one however wants to play with “Kob-Me.”

Had to record WWE Raw last night. Great drama with Triple H and Vince McMahon. Can’t wait to see the fallout next week from Vince getting the Pedigree.

Speaking of WWE, anyone else think Rob Van Dam looks like Paul Heyman’s son?

Glad to see Randy Orton back. Hope he can keep is out-of-the-ring behavior under control.

Memo to media: Stop the Michelle Wie mania. ESPN carried live updates of her attempt to qualify for the US Open. She has not accomplished anything yet. Yes she’s 16 years old and incredibly talented, but I’d be more impressed if she beat Annika Sorenstam a couples times first, rather than just trying to make the field where Phil and Tiger reign.

The Dodgers so far made the move of the year in their signing of Nomar. He’s been a real sparkplug for the offense. Just hope he stays healthy.

Hope Pujols returns to the Cardinals’ lineup as soon as possible.

Clemens, excited to see you pitch again, but the Astros could have used you several weeks ago.

Anyone else notice that 6/6/06 is the first full day of the Yankees being in 1st place? Seems like an Omen to me…Wait, and Hillary is their Senator too. How fitting.

Coffee: 8 O’Clock Coffee is on sale at Target. $2.64 a bag. A very good coffee at an outstanding price. I’m enjoying a Siberian Husky mug-full right now.
Cheers!