The visiting teams are doing a number on the home teams during this year’s Stanley Cup season. Both the Sharks and the Lightning lead their respective series 3-2 thanks to a number of key wins on the road but as we all know, nailing down that final game can be very difficult, sometimes impossible. In reality, it doesn’t matter who wins in this round as the final series is always exciting, no matter who plays.
Off the ice, things are just as interesting ever since a Minnesota federal judge last week denied a NHL motion to dismiss a lawsuit (concussion related) that several former players had filed against the league. It stated that the NHL had an obligation “to protect or inform the players of the dangers when it comes to head injuries they had suffered”, very similar in nature to the one that many former NFL players had launched and successfully won against their league, resulting in billions of dollars to be paid out over five years. A fairly recent movie “Focus”, starring Will Smith, deals with this situation and shows the terrible and devastating impact head injuries had on so many great football players, some leading to suicide.
This sets the stage for a courtroom confrontation, but the NHL finds itself in a peculiar predicament. They know what’s coming down the track and they also know they can’t win. This case, just like the NFL one, will never see the “light of day” because the NHL is running scared. They know they are wrong and don’t want to be embarrassed in public, so they will settle out of court, which is just as well because a long drawn out affair would serve no one, especially the ex-players desperately waiting for professional help.
Things aren’t exactly going the way they are supposed to for the Brandon Wheat Kings in their quest for their first ever Memorial Cup being played in Red Deer. After losing their first two games fairly decisively, 5-3 and 9-1, their backs are against the proverbial wall and they must now beat the host team to make the playoff round, and then find a little magic and a goal scoring touch to advance to the final. It’s obviously possible but highly unlikely unless they can quickly find the team play (chemistry), not to mention the goal scoring touch, that got them this far. You can catch the final game on TV this Sunday.
No one south of the border gave “We the North” a chance in their Eastern Conference final vs King James and his Cavs but after shocking the favourites with 2 wins in TO, it’s now a best of 3 series. It’s still a huge mountain to climb but with some decent reffing, it may be possible.
The Virden Oilers play their first of three consecutive home games this Sunday at Kalynuk Field against the Boissevain Centenniels, followed by games on Wednesday and Friday versus the Elkhorn Expos and Reston Rockets, respectively. Baseball in Virden has always enjoyed a large and faithful following, the crowds were excellent last year, so come on out and enjoy some very good ball.
After being much sought after by many universities across North America, Virden’s Carmen Ross has decided to stay close to home and take her impressive volleyball skills to Brandon and play for coach Lee Carter and his Bobcats. Although there will be much to learn as she “jumps” to a much higher level of competition, Ross, through her dedication, enthusiasm and hard work, will make it happen.
If you haven’t gotten your sticks out of the garage, attic or shed yet, dig ‘em out, dust them off and take them to the golf course and then proceed to whack/chase the little white round ball around for 9-holes, ASAP. Jason and the boys have the course looking great; take advantage of the weather, no excuses.
Until next time…
