Farewell To A Great Run and Random Sporty Thoughts

(photo via cbc.ca)

I learned a bunch of new things recently, friends. Mostly from watching hockey (which is the best way to learn anything, really). In no order of importance :

1. I was proud to rep my fave club, the Senators of Ottawa, all season up to their playoff exit. Admission: I gave up on them when Karlsson and Spezza went down. So, never give up y'all. Fight until you can't. No one gave 'em a chance this season, and they proved all the haters wrong again. Word to that.

2. Heart and peskiness can take you so far. Man, is that Penguins team stacked or what? As much as I'm pissed about the Sens getting knocked out, I want to see Iginla lift that cup. He deserves it more than anyone still in the hunt. Note: Alfredsson is more than worthy of another shot, for the record. Wanted to say that before all you Sens fans get your jerseys in a knot. AND here's hoping he comes back for another campaign...I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. He had an amazing 2 rounds of hockey, leading the team in points and awesomeness. 

3. Jared Cowen needs help. Gretzky, was he out to lunch on most nights. Lesson: Paperbag that shit. Keep to the fundamentals and do what needs to be done...effectively.

You're favorite land walking marine mammal, Paul MacLean, summed up the series quite nicely with a quote to the 4th best sports network in Canada: "I hope they don't charge us for the clinic". The kids got learned by the best in the biz, specifically Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Neal, Morrow, Orpik, Iginl...

Shift to the NBA real quick. The homeboy Amadou told me that Indiana would give Miami a run for their beach and I didn't really believe that. After watching the first 2 games, I'm on that Ama-tip. If Lebron James doesn't play at an extremely high level of compete every game, they're screwed. James hit the game winning layup in game 1 OT. Then he starred in his team's demise in game 2, as he turned over the ball twice in the last minute with the score so tight that Kim K's feet were jealous. There's a fine line between being a goat and a god. 

Indiana is an NBA team that closest resembles a hockey team in my opinion. Tough, unrelenting, and huge. The only thing gentle about Pacers big man Hibbert is his name. That dude is a monster with a great offensive touch.  

Baseball is still boring as fuck so nothing has changed there.

Enjoy the rest of the NHL/NBA playoffs. The finishes in both leagues will be in incredible.

-Paqman