Colby Armstrong out with a concussion

Was Colby Armstrong wrong in not telling anyone he was feeling light headed after he collided with Vancouver's Ryan Kesler in a game Saturday?

It's a question that is being asked now that Armstrong has been sidelined indefinitely with a concussion.

On the collision with Kesler, Armstrong suffered a cracked toe. But he also felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Remember, he missed 2 months with an ankle injury, and was playing in his 4th game since his return when he suffered the toe/concussion.

Armstrong has suffered pretty much every injury you can think off while he's been a Leaf: hand, knee, groin and eye injuries have meant Armstrong has played in 50 % of the games while he's been in Toronto.

That frustration - and the culture of hockey - played a large role in Armstrong deciding to try and hide his symptoms for a couple of days.

"If a guy doesn't tell you he has any symptoms, it's no different than 90 % of men who never go in for a checkup," said coach Ron Wilson. "We have all of these issues and that's just the way a lot of us were brought up: Unless you think you're dying you don't say anything, you don't see the doctor, you don't tell anybody."

It is a mindset that Wilson admits should change, but in a sport where competition is fierce and there are always people looking to take your job away, it's understandable in the eyes of the coach.

"Colby I think was trying to be noble," said Wilson. "He’s had a lot of injuries and he doesn't want to be known as fragile or injury prone so he didn't alert anybody until he felt really bad."

Armstrong skipped practise on Sunday because of his toe injury. He took part in the morning skate ahead of Monday's game vs. the Kings. It was early in the afternoon when he felt quite ill and was then diagnosed with a concussion.

"I talked to him after that game on the phone for quite a while and he never had a concussion before and he thought it was one of those things that he could shake off the next day," said defenseman Luke Schenn. "He probably thought a good night’s rest and hopefully it would go away."

It didn't and now the Leafs have lost Armstrong once again, and his hockey future may be in doubt. He has one more year on his $3 million a year contract.

"From talking with him that's what it sounded like, he didn't really know he had a concussion," said defenseman John-Michael Liles. "I don't think he was hiding anything from anybody. It’s not exactly something that jumps out a lot of times."

Whether he was hiding anything or not can be debated and discussed. But there is no doubt Armstrong knew he wasn't right and didn't respond to the situation immediately.

“If you don’t feel right, then you’re probably not right,” Keith Primeau told the National Post. Primeau's career was cut short by repeated concussions. “And that’s one of the most powerful messages in the education process: It’s imperative that you listen to your body.”

"From his point of view it's a normal reaction," Wilson said of Armstrong's decision to not say anything right away. "That's old school right there where you don't tell anybody and you hope you can fight through it. At least he realized even if it was late in the day he couldn't fake his way through the feelings he had."

Darryl Sutter: Right fit for underachieving Kings?

The LA Kings are set to name Darryl Sutter head coach in the next few days.

“He’s going to bring character, an attitude I think we need in here,” said Kings forward Jarret Stoll this morning ahead of the game against the Leafs on Monday. “Our attitude some games is right, some games it’s not.”

Sounds like a team that hasn’t played with much heart, passion or grit this season, doesn’t it?

“I heard he’s a bit of a yeller and that’s a good thing,” added defenceman Drew Doughty. “We need someone who is going to push us, to get the best out of us every night. He’s going to be a great fit for our team.”

We need someone who is going to push us? Really?

He brings an attitude we need in here? What?

This LA Kings team seems to have plenty of young talent, but it also seems to be missing something that can’t be measured in goals, or wins. 

The Kings sit 10th in the Western conference, having scored just 69 goals on the season. They find themselves 5 points out of the last playoff spot in the Western conference. 

Is this a team that is much like the southern California lifestyle itself: laid back, easy going, care free?

“We are going to be lot harder team to play against under Darryl,” said Stoll.

“We need to take control, every single one of us,” said Doughty. “Right now we are so down emotionally that things aren’t going well. Everyone has to look at the mirror.”

The Kings have scored just 68 goals on the year. They haven’t scored more than 2 goals in any of the last 11 games they have played. They are coming off an 8-2 beating in Detroit.

Darryl Sutter last coached in the NHL in 2006. His record behind an NHL bench: 409-320-131.

Can his no nonsense approach work with a young team that is apparently craving that type of leadership?

We should have a good idea soon enough.

Ricky Ray ready to lead Argos

When asked why he dealt Ricky Ray, Edmonton GM Eric Tillmam said "it's better to trade a quarterback a year too early rather than a year too late."

If the Edmonton Eskimos GM is right, than the trade for Ricky Ray will turn into a good one for his CFL team. Maybe not this year but sometime down the road.

If Tillman is wrong, the Toronto Argonauts will be able to compete for a chance to play the Grey Cup on home soil in 2012. And could be a good team for a few years after that.

Ray - the 32 year old two-time Grey cup champion - was introduced as the Toronto Argonauts quarterback on Wednesday, a couple days after a blockbuster deal from Edmonton.

"I was definitely a little bit surprised," said Ray about the trade. "The more I thought about it, it seems like a good fit to me. Once the shock wore off thinking about moving forward and this opportunity here, I'm excited."

"You always have something to prove," added Ray. "I'm not going to draw any extra motivation from those guys (Edmonton) because I'm already motivated enough and look forward to my time here."

"This is about the future of the organization," said Argos GM Jim Barker who dealt quarterback Steven Jyles, kicker Grant Shaw and the Argos 1st pick in the 2012 CFL Canadian draft for Ray. "Toronto is a star town and a guy like Ricky Ray brings us that. I think it's vital to where we're going."

Ray will get to work with Argos head coach Scott Milanovich, who for years was the offensive coordinator in Montreal making Anthony Calvillo seemingly ageless. He plans on having similar success with Ray.

"We want to build a team that plays with poise and courage and we wanted to build a team that represented the Toronto Argos with professionalism and class," said the Argos head coach. "Ricky Ray personifies these qualities."

"I've been able to see first hand what they've been able to do in Montreal," said Ray of the Milanovich-Calvillo relationship. "It excites me to come in and lean from coach Milanovich. Hopefully I can have some of that same success."

"He's going to fit in perfectly," said Milanovich. "We'll tweak it to where he can be able to utilize his abilities. I have no doubt that Ricky has 4 or 5 or 6 more good years of good football left and play at a high level. I have no doubt about that."

The Argos sure hope so.

Jake Gardiner playing well for the Maple Leafs

It's hard not to be impressed by the way Jake Gardiner has played this season.

At 21 years of age, the University of Wisconsin product has not only surprised many by being a mainstay on the Toronto Maple Leafs blueline, but by the way he has shown no problems adjusting to the pro game.

He has averaged more than 23 minutes of ice a game this month, and in the last 7 games has played at least 20 minutes each and every time.

For a kid you hasn't played more than 41 games in a season, you would think he would be hitting the proverbial rookie wall. Not so.

"Hes one of those types of kids who is never going to get tired," said his coach Ron Wilson. "I haven't seen him have an off day even in practice. He's out there flying around- even in practice, and he's gong to get better with experience."

"I just try to keep playing my game and playing the way I have been," said Gardiner, who has 8 assists on the season. "I can get better each day. Right now I feel pretty good."

Give an assist here to his roommate Matt Frattin for helping - in part - make sure Gardiner is eating right.

You see Frattin's father ran an Italian bakery so Frattin knows his way around a kitchen.

"I gave him a couple of opportunities early," said Frattin. "But it wasn't up to par so I decided to take the reins in the kitchen."

Good thing cause Frattin is able to cook up steak, pasta and chicken - all staples for any young hockey player. Gardiner's speciality? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

The smooth skating defenceman was a 1st round pick of the Anaheim Ducks. But with Cam Fowler playing so well, the Ducks felt they could make a move and dealt Gardiner last February to Toronto for Francois Beauchemin. The Leafs also got Joffrey Lupul in the transaction. Let's call this a win for the Leafs shall we.

It really has been quite a year for Gardiner who a year ago at this time was a junior in college playing hockey and wondering when he would make the jump to the pro ranks.

Still property of the Ducks at that time, the team sent up Scott Neidermayer to Wisconsin to meet up with Gardiner. The two talked about all things hockey - with Neidermayer telling Gardiner to keep working hard and he would be in the NHL sooner rather than later.

That meeting helped Gardiner realize he could make the jump to the pros.

"In my sophomore year in college I would let things get to me and get inside my head and I realized I couldn't play like that," said Gardiner. "I would be down the rest of the game. the only time I played well is when I got off to a good start. Now I try to let things go."

And that attitude has served Gardiner well.

Ask Frattin if he's surprised by Gardiner's early season success, and the answer is quite bluntly "no."

"He carries himself well with a lot of confidence and if he does that he plays to his best potential," said Frattin.

That has been good news for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Matthew Lombardi expects to return to the NHL this season

Matthew Lombardi realizes he has come a long way in his attempt to return to the NHL. But he has a long way to go and remains determined to play in the NHL again this season.

"That's my goal," Lombardi said as he wrapped up his 3rd on -ice session with his new Toronto Maple Leafs teammates. "I want to keep getting better and be in there as soon as I can."

The 29 year-old Lombardi last played in the NHL October 13th of last year for the Nashville Predators. He suffered a concussion in that game. He was just recently cleared and while he is still not taking part in contact drills, Lombardi is progressing.

"I wish I could have a date and that in mind," said Lombardi. "We'll see how I progress over the next few days and go from there. "

"I want to keep getting better and be in there as soon as I can. "
"The last time I played was the second game of (last) year, and since then I haven't felt as good as I am now. It's looking real good."

The Toronto Maple Leafs will open training camp on Friday before exhibition games start next week. Lombardi was acquired by the Leafs this summer.
"The worst thing is you are sitting on the sidelines and watching your teammates and seeing how much fun they are having. Little things - going for a walk I couldn't really do that. it wasn't really a matter of getting back to exercise. I just wanted to get back to my everyday life and being healthy again. Here I am now and I'm out there with the guys and it's a great feeling."

"You definitely have too much time to think about things and a lot of negative things get into your head. I have a great family and they are there for me every day. It keeps things in perspective and we don't have it to bad."

In seventy-eight games with Phoenix two seasons ago, Lombardi picked up a career-high 53 points along with 19 goals.

If he is healthy - and that is a big if - Lombardi would help the Leafs up the middle. The Leafs acquired Tim Connolly as well this off-season.

Maria Sharapova - Ready for Rogers Cup

Maria Sharapova is - at 24 years of age - considered a vet on the women's tennis tour. Just don't ask her how she feels about being one of the older players on tour, as I found out when I talked with her before her first match at the Rogers Cup

"I consider myself young still," said Sharapova. "I'm 24. Just because did well when I was very young- when I was 17 - doesn't mean I'm old. I'm answering that question a lot and I'm thinking that's getting old, right?

Point taken.

Sharapova's rise up the rankings has been impressive to watch. She was in a semi-final of the French Open and made it to the Wimbledon final as well. The world No. 1 player in 2005 had to endure shoulder injuries in recent years. She had shoulder surgery in 2008 and only now is she returning to form to again be one of the best women tennis players on the planet.

"It was certainly an injury not many people have come back from, especially tennis players," said Sharapova. "It was tough going into it knowing that was a possibility. It took a very long time. I had hoped it hadn't happened at such a young stage of my career (21) but that's an athlete's life."

Now Sharapova - who was in the final of the Rogers Cup in 2009 - will look to win it while at the same time gearing up for the US Open, an event she won in 2006.

"It's (Rogers Cup) a big event for me. It's a tough draw. You've got to win 6 matches in order to be the champion," said Sharapova. "In leading up to the US Open you want to be in the best shape so it's a really good test for every one."

Brett Lawrie set for Toronto debut tonight

Say this for Brett Lawrie: He's media savy.

"I'm not a saviour," he said before he played his first major league game for the Toronto Blye Jays in Baltimore last Friday.

He may want to re-think that after his first major league series.

On Friday, the highly touted 21 year-old from Langley BC - who destroyed pitching in AAA Las Vegas - had his first major league hit and rbi in a Blue Jays win. On Sunday afternoon, he hit his first major league home run.

In the post game interview, JP Arencibia, Ricky Romero and Brett Cecil gave him a double shaving cream pie-gatorade shower. Welcome to the bigs, young fella.

In all, Lawrie was 5-11 now he makes his debut in Toronto tonight.

"Obviously it's a plus cause now I know I can stick, I can play with these guys," Lawrie said Sunday afternoon. "I knew before, but it was a question of getting the opportunity."

Lawrie's weekend was made the more special with his parents - Russ and Cheryl - on hand along with his sister Danielle who made the trip.

"After his first game we were back at the hotel sitting and waiting for him and when he walked in he had a smile on his face," said a proud father Russ on Sunday. "I remember that smile when he was 4 or 5 years old. That pretty much told the whole story."

"To step in and do what he did, what can you say? He has tremendous power and he showed a glimpe of that in this series in Baltimore," said manager John Farrell.

Tuesday afternoon Lawrie - acquired in the off season for Shaun Marcum - will play on Canadian soil for the first time as a big leaguer.

It was at Rogers Centre where Lawrie as a youngster took a bunch of dirt from the pitchers mound, with the intention of one day returning as a big league player. Mission accomplished.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," said Lawrie. "There's a lot of people who want to see all of us play. Hopefully I can show something to somebody who hasn't seen me play before."

Dwane Casey takes over as Toronto Raptors head coach

Dwane Casey seems like a great fit for the Toronto Raptors
.
He is the 8th head coach in franchise history, and like others before him he is preaching a defence first mentality. Will he succeed where so many others have failed?
"I’m passionate about what I do," said the 54 year-old Casey as he was formally introduced on Tuesday.
"When we first started in Dallas three years ago we had a veteran team and I’m getting on the guys, passionate about things, calling out direction, calling out guys during the game and in practice.

"That’s who I am, and players respect that I would never do it in a way to embarrass players, but they know how I feel. I wear my feelings on my shirt sleeves. I bring that energy every day. I’m a hard worker.

"There isn’t a coach in this league who’ll outwork me or our staff."

But can Casey - who was a head coach for a year and a half with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2005- 2007 (career record of 53-69) really make THIS Raptors team - one of the worst in defence in the NBA a season ago- all that much better?

"I refuse to be a part of the choir that says, ‘Andrea cannot play defence.’ I refuse to be a part of the choir that says, ‘Jose can’t keep guys in front of him.’ Or, ‘This team is 30th in the league in defence.’ Because I know they can be better than 30th in the league defensively."

Casey added: "Defensively, I'm going to be a hands on control freak. Offensively I'm going to trust and give them freedom. The players will know how important defence is. I want defence to be fun."

Yup - he said that - playing defence is fun.

"Dwane embodies a lot of the characteristics we were looking for, if not every one, to a T," said Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo.

Casey was an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks for the last 3 seasons, and was instrumental in leading the Mavs to the NBA title earlier this month. His systems shut down the likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and the big 3 with the Heat.

In fact hours after the Mavericks won the title, head coach Rick Carlisle called Colangelo selling him on Casey.

"Rick Carlisle said 'Bryan, I want to know what it's going to take to get Dwane that job in Toronto. It's right for him. It's right for you. It's right for the situation. You need to strongly considerate it. I said Rick, first of all congratulations you should be enjoying yourself and not promoting your guys."

"During the playoffs we spliced in some hockey video with our game because we felt like we were playing too soft against Miami to start the series," said Casey. "Got guys checking guys up into the window (glass) and the board and that type of thing. It really set the tone. I don't know a lot about hockey but I know I will learn about it. That's the way we want to play. We want people to feel us when they cut through the lane."

"The key to defence is effort," added Casey. "It's hard play and effort. Once we establish that, that is who we are and that's part of our identify, the defence will come. Are we going to lock down and stop LeBron James each and every night? No it's not going to happen. But we will develop a defensive mentality."

Good luck to Casey who has been a head coach, associate head coach and assistant coach in the NBA in 16 of the last 17 years.

Memorial Cup - May 27, 2011

Dave Cameron has had a busy year.

The head coach and General Manager of the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors was behind the bench as Canada blew a 3-0 lead to Russia in the gold medal game of the world junior hockey championship.

He then saw and Owen Sound Attack team win game 7 of the Ontario Hockey League championship in overtime .

Now Cameron has his Majors in the semi-final of the Memorial Cup. One win away from Sunday's final. A win away from giving him a title this year.

"The elimination games are always more intense," said Cameron hours before the Majors-Ice semi-final match. "Game on."

Cameron is as intense a coach as you will find, especially on game days.

He is also one of the funniest and this morning he was at it again saying there's nothing like coaching teenagers.

"There's no such thing as you've seen it all," smiled Cameron. "Boydie (Assistant coach James Boyd) and I have a rule called the "seat belt" rule. If two days go by and there are no issues, put your seatbelt on, something's coming!"

"Thats what keeps you young in this business working with these young guys."

"I love coming to the rink and as intense as I get sometimes, I wouldn't change my job," said the 52 year old PEI native. "I consider myself fortuanate. I never take it for granted. I do enjoy it."

"A lot of reporters only see me on game days and sometimes I am really intense," said Cameron. "But there is nobody in hockey that has more fun than I do. I have a wicked sense of humour."

"My theory is if you don't enjoy what you do it is just another job."

Cameron is under huge expectations here, as he has a third chance to end the season on a winning note.

"When I first started I wouldn't have enjoyed the tournament," said Cameron. "As you get older you can sepearte the two."

Right now Cameron is enjoying the Memorial Cup. He would have more fun if he and his team got to celebrate instead of watching someone else bask in victory.

Majors and Attack - bad blood continues

Here's hoping Owen Sound and Mississauga meet one more time.

The Majors beat the Attack last night 3-1, forcing Owen Sound to have to play a tie-breaker game tonight against the Kootenay Ice while the Majors will face the winner on Friday in the semi-final.

The bad blood between the Majors and the Attack that came out during the 7 game OHL final is once again on display.

The Attack have lost captain Garrett Wilson for the rest of the Memorial Cup after he suffered concussion like symptoms after taking a 1st period hit from Chris DeSousa of the Majors last night.

Owen Sound will go into an elimination game without their captain and Joey Hishon who was injured earlier in the tournament.

"He put his elbow right into his back, and his head bounces off the glass," said Owen Sound coach Mark Reeds. "Obviously it's a hit from behind. There's different rules and we just want to know how to play. If someone can fill me in that would be great."

"He was in a vulnerable spot," said Attack GM Dale DeGray.

There was no penalty on the play.

The Majors not surprisingly don't see it that way.

"There's hitting allowed in this game," said DeSousa. "It was kind of a freak accident. I think he hit his head on the glass. There can't be a suspension every time someone is hurt."

Majors caoch Dave Cameron said, "You go back to the playoffs, take my comments that I was fined $2,500 for, take the part out about the referees and I stated what I thought about that team. I'm not going to repeat it. When you win say little. When you lose say less."

After his team won game 5 of the OHL final, Cameron was critical of Owen Sound and accused them of diving.

For the Majors and Attack to meet for a 9th time in the last few weeks, Owen Sound will have to beat the Ice. Kootenay will have Brayden McNabb in the lineup and that doesn't sit well with the Attack.

It was McNabb's hit that knocked out Joey Hishon the first time these two teams met.

"Tonight he's going to run the power play, and our best power play guy will watch from his hotel room," said DeGray. "I'm not so sure that's fair."

The odds are against the Attack tonight but you just never know with this team - a team that has been counted out time and time again this season.

"We have a lot of fight in that dressing room," said DeGray.

Memorial Cup - May 25, 2011

Joey Hishon will not play tonight when the Owen Sound Attack face Mississauga with the winner going to the semi final at the Mastercard Memorial cup.

The Attack's leading scorer during the regular season is still suffering from concussion like symptoms according to GM Dale DeGray.
"Joey is still a little foggy. He passed his baseline test," DeGray said this morning. "Right now we have to go day to day with him. It's a game - yeah these are important games and he would love to be in them, but until he's ready to go we have to worry about Joey. He has a great career in front of him, he's still day to day, still has some symptoms and needs to be symptom free before."

Hishon took an elbow to his head from Brayden McNabb of Kootenay when the two teams met on Saturday. DeGray vented when asked about the situation with Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca

"Joey Hishon is not enjoying this experience," DeGray said. "Is McNabb? You tell me. Damn right he is. Is that the way it should be? I don't know."

McNabb was given a one game suspension and missed the Ice loss to Mississauga.

"I would have rathered (McNabb) play the other day against Mississauga and help beat Mississauga and not play maybe tomorrow night if we play them," he said. "Maybe that's more of a fair penalty."

"He's feeling better," head coach Mark Reeds said. "It's about the athlete and as a 19-year-old, 20-year-old kid; we're not going to put him in a situation that's going to threaten his livelihood."

Reeds said not having Hishon "messes up your power play and penalty kill" but the Attack missed Hishon for 18 regular season games and managed to play well without him.

"He's been out before and other guys picked up the slack," said goalie Jordan Binnington.

The Attack will need that again tonight.

The loser will have to play in a tiebreaker Thursday against Kootenay.
　
　
　
　　
　

Memorial Cup -Monday May 23, 2011

The Owen Sound Attack will have to beat the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League without Joey Hishon.

The Attack will face Saint John tonight in the 4th game of the Memorial Cup round robin tonight with the club's leading point getterduring the regular season and a player who had 24 points during the OHL playoffs.

"He' not playing tonight. He did a basline test today and we'll have to wait on the results from it," said coach Mark Reeds.

Could he miss the rest of the tourmanment?

"I don't know that yet. I'm not going to speculate. That's all I have to say."

"Obviously it's disapointing for him," added the Attack head coach. "Again it's about the athletes that are involved in the game. Obviously he's worked very hard to get to this point, to get to this stage playing for a Canadian championship. I feel for him more than i do for myself. It's about him and he's unable to play tonight."

"He's been out a number of times this year so we just have to flip some lines around. We haven't been afriad to do that all year. We'll make adjustments as we need them."

Saint John comes in having beaten Mississauga in the opening game of the tournament, yet the Sea Dogs insist they can play better.

"We did not bring our "A" game," said defenceman Nathan Beaulieu.

The Sea Dogs say they have a lot more to offer. If that's the case then tonight's game - even without Joey Hishon - should be an entertaining affair.

-

Entertaining is the not the word to desribe Mississauga's win over Kootenay on Sunday. Two teams playing a trapping style of hockey where hard work and defence wins out over high risk offensive plays, made the Majors 2-1 win tough to watch.

It was a big win for Mississauga, which had lost 3 straight games coming in.

``We were feeling the pressure," said Majors coach Dave Cameron. "I felt kind of like it snapped our energy. We were struggling. We were tight."

Funny, because 3 hours before the game Cameron was seen joking around with some members of the media. He was loose but his team was not.

Does a win take off some of the pressure? We'll find out Wednesday when the Majors face the Attack looking for some revenge after losing the OHL final in OT in game 7 on home ice.

"There's a little hate-on from our side because of what they have done to us in the past," said Majors captain Casey Cizikas.
　

Memorial Cup starts Friday

Dave Cameron admits he's feeling better, but he's not quite there yet.

"I'm still not allowed to play with anything sharp," cracked the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors head coach on Thursday, as the four head coaches in the Memorial Cup met the media on the eve of the tournament.

Cameron's Majors lost to Owen Sound in game 7, in overtime, to fall in the Ontario Hockey League final. The Majors four losses were by a goal, three of the losses in overtime.

"Anytime you lose a game 7 it takes a while to get over it," said Cameron. "We are over it and very fortunate to have a chance to eliminate some of that hurt."

The Majors open up the tournament against the Saint John Sea Dogs, arguably the best team in the Canadian Hockey
League this season, when the event starts Friday. Owen Sound and Kootenay round out the tournament.

"These 3 guys all won the championships on the road in overtime and I lost it at home in overtime," smiled Cameron. "I'm the odd duck in this thing."

The Majors have a difficult task to start the event. Even though Mississauga went 53-13-2 during the season, and led the Ontario Hockey League in goals and gave up the fewest they are not the favourites in this event.

The Sea Dogs have four of the top 20 rated prospects for the NHL draft including centre Jonathan Huberdeau (# 3 on Central Scouting) and is a team that went 58-7-3 during the regular season.

"I think our team is going to be fine," said Sea Dogs coach Gerard Gallant. "They have battled hard and they deserve to be here and I think they'll be ready."

Owen Sound (46-17-5 this season) will face WHL champion Kootenay (46-21-5) on Saturday.

"We are very excited to be here," said Ice head coach Kris Knoblauch. "We feel we belong in the competiton. We kind of jelled as a team as the season progressed. We were able to play our best hockey right now in the playoffs."

That's an understatement. The Ice have won 15 of the last 16 playoff games they have played and beat powerhouses Saskatoon, Medicine Hat and Portland in the playoffs and could make the claim they are the favourites here.

"It will come down to who is playing the best hockey at the appropriate time," said Knoblauch. When asked what team is the favourite he replied, "I would like to say it's certainly not us."

Mark Reeds has played in 3 Memorial Cups and as coach of the Attack based in Owen Sound (population 22,000) he knows what a title would mean for a "very starved" community.

"It's an unbelievable feeling and tremendous opportunity for these young individuals and a tremendous opportunity to bring a championsihp to a very starved commuity of Grey-Bruce."

"It's huge mainly for your players," said Cameron. "Your teams don't get here unless your teams have a focus and committment. I know how dedicated they are and how hard they've worked."

Let the games begin.

John Farrell - still learning on the job

The Toronto Blue Jays will be happy when this road trip is over.

The Jays have played well - but injuries and a failure to come up with enough timely hits - has hurt the team that is wrapping up a tough start to the season hoping better days are ahead.

Manager John Farrell has seen key players hurt (right now it's Jose Bautista, who just happens to lead the AL in pretty much every offensive category) and continues to learn on the job. He admits he has learned plenty and is enjoying watching his team, one he says "loves to play together."

“Moving away from a pitching coach to this position, you get such a broader perspective and a greater appreciation for the game. It might give me an ulcer in the future, but I love what the game is about. I’ve learned more in the 2 ½ months including spring training than I would ever have learned as a pitching coach. The offensive and defensive sides factor in, not just who’s on the mound. I sleep well, but at the same time I may not get to sleep at a normal hour, but I still sleep. It’s been good, ” Farrell told reporters in New York.

Toronto has played 18 road games already, meaning the schedule - along with healthy bodies - should lead to better days and more wins ahead.

The bullpen had not given up a hit in 10 2/3rd innings, before Jon Rauch allowed a BJ Upton walk off homer as the Rays took the first game in the series over Toronto.

"I screwed up," said the brutally honest Rauch. "I made 2 really, really bad pitches. I made 2 big mistakes up in the zone. This loss is on me. I blew it."

The bullpen has been the strength of a pitching staff that hasn't been good enough to start the year (Brett Cecil is still in the minors trying to find his form that saw him win 15 games last season.)

Farrell feels his team is playing an aggressive game (having set a franchise record for most stolen bases in the month of April), one that will carry on the rest of the season if the manager has his way.

"I think when we look back we've been able to carry out what we hoped," Farrell said. "We want to establish an identity for this club and I think we've done that."

"I think for the most part we've been in every game. We've been relentless in our competitive nature each and every night. That doesn't mean we don't have areas we need to improve on. I think it has shown resiliency. The fact of the matter guys like one another and they like to play together.

"We are not going to have a perfect team. Yet we will be as best prepared to respond to the situation on the field."

One month down for Farrell - a month that saw him face many injuries. Better days are ahead for the manager and his team, aren't they?

Blue Jays go 3-7 on first road trip of 2011

This is how bad it got for the Toronto Blue Jays in Boston Monday afternoon: Daisuke Matsuzaka looked like Cy Young.

The Blue Jays got just 1 hit on Matsuzaka, who was making his 2nd start at Fenway this year. In his first start, the Red Sox pitcher lasted 2 innings and had an ERA of 31.50. It dropped a bit today.

“It was embarrassing what happened to us the last three days,” said Toronto second baseman Aaron Hill, who went 0-for-3. “We know we're a much better ballclub. It definitely doesn't feel right going home.”

“I think it's best for all of us in a Toronto uniform to put this one behind us and get ready for the Yankees,” manager John Farrell said.

But things don't get easier. Toronto opens a two-game set against New York on Tuesday night and then hosts Tampa Bay for three before going on the road for another 10-game stretch which will feature stops in Texas against the Rangers, New York to face the Yanks, and in Tampa .

“We caught a team that was coming out of a slump at the wrong time,” Farrell said.

The Jays are in a slump right now having gone 3-7 on the road trip, a road trip that saw them blow big leads and lose games in extra innings.

“The schedule is not giving us any breaks, but we have to get back to the way we play, manufacturing runs, capitalizing on balls up in the zone, and pitching . . . that goes without saying — we have to take a leadership role on the mound,” said Farrell.

The Jays scored just 3 runs over the last 29 innings vs the Red Sox.

They had just 3 baserunners, the fewest in a game since May 7, 2009.

The Jays have hit 13 homers this year. Last year at this time they already had 23.

Biran Burke's year end address

Leave it to Brian Burke to sum up the Toronto Maple Leafs season – a 7^th straight without the playoffs – this way: “When you miss the playoffs it’s a failure.”

Yet you ask Burke about his coach Ron Wilson – who is the only Leafs coach to miss the playoffs 3 years in a row – the GM will tell you Wilson will be back for the final year of his contract. This despite what seems to be a large group of fans who would rather see Wilson replaced.

“We don’t run this team by consensus. I don’t give a rat’s ass what the consensus is.”

“I don’t have to justify why the coach is staying,” said Burke in his end of season address. “He did it with the job he did in the 2^nd half of the season. There are people who disagree. They are confusing me with someone who cares about their opinion.”

General Manager Brian Burke said special teams cost his team a spot in the playoffs, but he didn’t pin the blame on that on his coaches. He said the players are to blame for that.

The power play was ranked 22^nd, the penalty kill finished 28^th in the 30 team NHL this season. In fact under Wilson’s watch special teams have been anything but special.

“We might have to address it with player personnel acquisitions,” said Burke. “I felt the first time I gave Ron a competitive team to work with was the second half of this season. It’s too easy to pin it on the coaches. When you watch our players execute you think the plan works. Maybe we have to address that by getting people who are better at those jobs.”

Burke sang the praises of Dion Phaneuf saying his second half was “terrific”; he called Phil Kessel a player whose all around game has improved.

He expects James Reimer to handle the workload in goal next season, and he isn’t about to give up on Jonas Gustavsson. But he insists his number 1 priority is a top-line centre.

"I believe in this group," Burke said. "I think the building blocks we put in place in terms of the defence, the way the top-six (forwards) rounded out, I do think we're close with a few additions.

“Our top priority is a centre, no question about it," he said.

“I would like a bigger group, I would like a more hostile group,” said Burke. “This is my team now it’s my group now and I believe this group has what it we need to win but we have to add to this group in the summer time.”

“This group of athletes doesn’t have to defend 7 years,” said Burke. “This group of athletes doesn’t have to talk about 1967.”

“I was in the playoffs 7 straight years before I got here,” added Burke. “This has been a long, slow torturous process for me. I don’t like it. I don’t like being out of the playoffs. I take it personally especially when we actually got close this year and made a push. I’m sour about it. I’m not happy.”

In his year end address, Ron Wilson said he felt his team was 2 or 3 pieces away from being a Stanley Cup contender. Burke was asked if he agreed.

"I know some people are having fun with that but what team isn’t a contender if you add the right 3 players. I don't think Ron was wrong with that at all, but the question is can we add three guys who could have that impact through trade or free agency?" said Burke. "That's a harder question."

Burke promises to be busy in free agency as his team has lots of cap space and money to spend. He also plans to negotiate with his restricted free agents (Tyler Bozak, Clarke MacArthur, Luke Schenn and James Reimer among them) after the world hockey championships.

Toronto Maple Leafs are optimistic about future

 

As the Toronto Maple Leafs cleaned out their lockers after missing the playoffs for a 7^th straight year, there was a sense of optimisms for next year.

While that may be a familiar tune, everyone insists it’s different this time for the 2^nd youngest team in the NHL.

“This year we piled up a bunch of experience at the end,” said Ron Wilson. “We’re probably 2 or 3 pieces from being a true contender. I’m talking contender for the Stanley Cup.”

A cynic might argue those pieces are Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos and Shea Weber.

But there is no doubt a team that went 18-9 and 6 after the all-star break believes they are ready to make the next step and advance to the playoffs.

“Night in night out we were playing in big games that were playoff like and for next year it’s really going to help us,” said captain Dion Phaneuf. “We are going to use that experience and it’s going to help us.”

“First couple of years for me everyone was saying next year should be better, next year should be better, but it was more hoping that it would be better,” said Luke Schenn. “Now there is a belief that we are on the right track.”

“I’m comfortable in this group more than any I’ve had in a long time because they are growing together, improving together and believing together,” added Wilson.

“Compared to my first year here, it’s a whole different culture here, a whole different team” said Phil Kessel. “We have a great group of guys here. Everybody plays for each other.”

The Leafs have a number of restricted free agents this off season: Tyler Bozak, James Reimer, Luke Schenn, Darryl Boyce, Jay Rosehill, Carl Gunnarsson, Matt Lashoff and Clarke MacArthur.

MacArthur led the Leafs in assists and made it clear he wants to remain in Toronto.

“I’ve never once said that I’m trying to hit one out of the park here,” said MacArthur. “I feel like sometimes it’s better to be happy than greedy. I’d like to stay here.”

Wilson feels the team needs a front line centre and a defenceman to work the point on the power play. He is confident James Reimer – who played a big role in the club going 18-9-6 after the all-star break - can handle the goaltending duties next season targeting him for 50 to 60 games.

“If that’s what he wants me to do I’ll be ready,” said Reimer. “He told me to focus and prepare myself to have the possibility to play a lot of games next season. I am going to work real hard this summer to focus and prepare and be in the best shape possible so I can handle it.”

“Reims I’m sure is going to continue where he left off,” said Wilson. “He seems immune to all the attention. He stayed focused pretty much all the way through it.”

“There will be more expectations from everyone and you just have to find a way either to let it motivate you or not think about it at all,” said Reimer. “For myself I’ll probably go the not think about it at all route.”

Ron Wilson has 1 year left on his deal and Brian Burke says he will be back.

Wilson expects to retain his entire coaching staff. When asked if he would like a contract extension before the season, Wilson said that was a decision Brian Burke would have to make.

“Sixty percent of my questions are about always my future, as soon we lose 3 games it’s about my future,” said Wilson. “I don’t even want to go there. I’m confident in my abilities. That’s between Brian and I at the end of the day. It’s nobody else’s business.”

That may be but Wilson is the only coach in Maple Leafs history to have missed the playoffs three straight years and not lose his job.