Bring back the Hansons
Headshots. Where do I begin? Mike Richards and David Booth started the discussion in October when Richards blindsided Booth as he carried the puck over the blue line, knocking the Florida Panther unconscious and out of commission for three quarters of the season. Fair or foul? The NHL has been scrambling ever since, as critics and players have been chiming in as each new headshot case lands on Gary Bettman’s desk it feels like once a week. Recently, Bettman and his minions implemented a headshot rule of sorts in which any deliberate hit to the head or intent to injure is subject to supplementary discipline even though a penalty may not be called on the ice. The hope is that this new rule will act as a deterrent for the players and that they will think twice before blindsiding an opponent or purposely targeting the head of another player. The feeling is that Bettman will likely introduce a formal on-ice rule beginning next season which is similar to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s where any hit to the head, intent or not, is a two minute minor penalty. Newsflash Gary, this rule isn’t going to stop headshots. I have a better idea. Remember that old instigator rule that disappeared in hopes of cleaning up the game and removing the Hanson-like pylons from the bench who were only there to fight if necessary? Bring it back. The respect and policing needs to be done by the players not by Bettman and his suits. Matt Cooke will definitely think twice before targeting Marc Savard if he knows that the Bruins’ Zdeno Chara or Milan Lucic have the right to take the law into their own hands and dish out their own form of punishment.
Bring on LBJ
A few issues back I wrote a piece when the Toronto Raptors were in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and on the rise and I warned Toronto fans to not get their hopes up because the Raptors will never win. Thank you Raptor players; especially Chris Bosh whose subpar play since the all-star break has contributed greatly to my point now that the slumping Raps sit precariously in the eighth and final playoff position. Fortunately, there is some good news: The ninth place Bulls lost their star sophomore, and my fantasy point guard Derrick Rose for a handful of games recently in which they lost all of them, allowing the Raps to still be on the inside of the playoff picture. The bad news is the Raptors are on a collision course with the Cleveland Cavaliers and their star point guard Mo Willliams and trade-deadline acquisition Antawn Jamison. Oh yeah, it’s not July 1st yet, so Lebron’s still there too I guess. At least the games will be broadcasted on national TV down south. Good luck Toronto. Instead of worrying about playoff position and a slumping team, just try and enjoy the last ten games that Bosh will be wearing the Raptor uniform before he jumps ship July 1st to play on a contender.
I remember all the love problems I had at sixteen…
I’m sorry, but who the hell is Justin Beiber and why is he singing about love and girl problems? He’s sixteen years old, rich and he doesn’t go to school. What are your problems Justin? Go hang out with Miley Cyrus somewhere. Leave the rest of us alone please.
