The NHL Stanley Cup final is now a best of 3 affair after Smashville easily dismantled the defending champions from Pittsburgh in their barn, twice. Advantage Penguins but they must be wondering, deep back in their minds, that this Tennessee team just might be the most recent version of a team of destiny. The Predators seem to be getting stronger as this series progresses and the Penguins better hope they have enough "gas in the tank" to close out this "winner take all" finale. I still think they'll eventually prevail but it'll take all 7 games to do it.
I will say one thing about the length of this series, it's ridiculous. With the Predators winning game 4 on Monday, there will be a game 6, so the earliest a team can hoist the cup will be this Sunday, June 11th. It's bad enough when hockey has to be played in June but now the NHL has decided in its infinite wisdom that in the finals there will be 2 days rest between games, further dragging out the process. On a similar note, maybe the league is taking its cue from the NBA who allowed the Warriors and Cavaliers to have a whole week off before starting their best of 7 grudge match. Speaking of which, unless Cleveland can turn things around at home, and quickly, being down 2-0 in games, Golden State will win their second championship in 3 years but never count out a team that has superstar Lebron James on it. If the Warriors do win out, look for KD (Kevin Durant) to capture MVP honours with his outstanding play.
Baseball Manitoba held its annual Hall of Fame induction ceremonies last weekend in Morden and it was good to see former Oilers pitcher Vinnie Eastman be honoured in the individual category after such a long and distinguished career. The 8 time MSBL all-star and former Manitoba Senior AAA player of the year, especially noted for his durability (rubber arm), not only excelled in senior ball but also pitched at the college and semiprofessional level (Prairie League). His 1997 team, the Neepawa Farmers, were also inducted into the HOF in the team category and former Virdenite Danny Senff, son of Bob and Maureen Senff who was a member of that provincial winning team, was there to receive his trophy.
Three other long time southwest baseball people, Melita's Orville Renwick (brother of Marion Kalynuk), Oak River's Gord Paddock and Neepawa's Don Schmall, all who have put in a ton of years umpiring, playing and promoting this great game in their respective areas, also made the grade and were honoured at the induction ceremony attended by over 350 people.
The Toronto Blue Jays have been swinging a hot bat as of late, leading the majors in dingers over the last month, and while that has translated into more wins, they'll have to shore up their pitching staff if they want to make a move on the front runners. What started out as a pretty good starting group has been decimated by too many injuries and this has led to their less than desired position on the ladder.
Brooke Henderson will try and move up in the golf rankings when she participates in this weekend’s Manulife LPGA Classic being held in Ontario. The young sensation has slipped ever so slightly from last year's rankings, she's now ranked #15 in the world and #25 on the money list, but she has none the less banked over a quarter of a mil this season, which is not bad considering her game is not where she wants it to be…sound familiar.
What would you do if you faced this dilemma? Try and win a U.S. Open golf championship which would make you a career Grand Slam winner or go to your daughter's high school graduation? Five-time major winner and 6 time U.S. Open runner up Phil Mickelson, who has never missed an Open since he started in 1993, is choosing the latter. He's taking some heat over this decision but it's never a wrong in matters concerning your family, they always come first, a good lesson in life. Trivia time: name the 5 golfers who have won the grand slam?
The 3-3 Virden Oilers will host a doubleheader this Sunday when they'll entertain the Hartney Hoppers at 1:00 and then play the Deloraine Royals at 6:00, this will be followed by a visit from the Elkhorn Expos who will play them on Wednesday at 7:00.
Trivia answer: I know you got Jack and Tiger but did you get the Black Knight (Gary Player), Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen? Don't lie!
Until next time....
