Double Header: First Game

I have a lot of love for Toronto because my Dad cheers for Toronto and I grew up in the era of Dougie Gilmour and Wendel Clark. And I know Gretz is Gretz and all but he really did high stick Dougie and cost Toronto the series in '93 and I remember that. That makes me a fan.

And I have a little love for Washington because I was in their system for a year playing in South Carolina, even though their system didn't love me back... didn't even give me a cuddle... not even a late night drunk dial... (you know... call me up for a weekend... maybe let me skate one time with the team... warmup, sit on the bench, cheer really loud, look really excited, get in if the team is either up alot or down alot, brag about it to all my friends how I 'played' against or with some really good player that's now in the NHL... Sweet). But no.

But Toronto v Washington January 24 2008 was not inspiring. Well... it was inspiring in the sense that it drove me half-way through to leave and watch crib instead... But honestly not much there... and just when I thought it couldn't get any worse something amazing happened... it ended. Rebound, Sundin, bang, goal, done.

Washington should be good in a few years. Most of their team and their coach was in the AHL last year. Ovechkin will also be good soon enough since Bruce is not gonna put up with him not playing defense anymore. Am I the only person to notice that Ovechkin leads the league in 3rd period goals? Hmmm... Usually coming after their already down 6-2 and the other team isn't trying anymore. Hmmm...

And Toronto...? Toughest fans in the league.. you try playing there... made a guy cry not too long ago. Toronto's problem is they have too many chef's in the kitchen trying to make a team. Board needs to start realizing they're teachers for a reason and that the know Jack about hockey. ('If you can't do, teach' I say*). But, for serious, get off your wallet you cheapest team of all time that still gets a sell-out crowd every game and give the GM full control already.

*Some people are born teachers and kudos to that, but how many are there just because they couldn't find anything else to do. I know when I'm teaching/coaching in 5 years that'll be the reason.