It’s my Parting Shot for my Monday Musings…..
It is with mixed emotions that I say today that there are parallels between the Dallas Cowboys and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both are the darlings of the national media in their respective sports in their respective countries. Both have massive expectations placed on them to perform and both tend to fail miserably to live up to those expectations, especially at playoff time! With the Leafs, their post-season incompetence leaves me somewhat sad. With the Cowboys, I’m a very happy camper today! America’s Team…pffft!!
How long before the shock wears off and Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones ties the can to head coach Mike McCarthy following yesterday’s 48-32 loss to Green Bay on N-F-L Wild Card Weekend? That might have happened by the time you hear or read this!
Meanwhile, the Buds’ annual season-long roller-coaster ride has them on a down run. Losing at home for a second straight night on Sunday upped Toronto’s losing streak to three games. They do hold a playoff spot at the mid-point of the season, but that is precarious at best with four teams listed as being outside the Stanley Cup playoffs right now only being no more than four points back of them. I may be able to see first-hand for myself what is going on with the Maple Leafs when they visit Calgary on Thursday and the Saskatoon Blades are in town ahead of playing the Hitmen Friday at the Saddledome!
And, “real” curling season is now on! You can have your made for T-V Grand Slam events or the Continental Cup or what have you – far too many big money bonspiels for my liking – but I was curious to follow the SaskTel Tankard Last Chance event over this past weekend in Prince Albert, which rolls into the Viterra Scotties women’s provincials this week in Tisdale, followed by the SaskTel Tankard provincial men’s at the end of this month at Nutana in Saskatoon. That’s what I call “real” curling! By the way, is the term “bonspiel” still used anymore – or have the Easterners gotten their way with the use of “tournament?!” Really??!! Seriously??!! C’mon man!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!…..
