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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Year: 2011

Another Case to End Fighting in the NHL – Ice-Goonery

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

As I was enjoying a family Thanksgiving celebration this evening, I was watching the Maple Leafs vs. Senators game.  The Leafs were ahead by two goals when a fight, the game’s second, broke out involving Chris Neil and Luke Schenn.

Okay, wait, let’s backtrack just a bit.  For the past few weeks on this site there have been several discussions and articles about the efficacy of fighting in the NHL, whether it should be protected or abolished entirely.  I have been firmly of the mindset that there is no need for fighting in the game, and the cons far outweigh the pros.  With “ice-goonery” (I think I invented a word here!) in the forefront of hockey news over the past year with the untimely deaths of several notable former hockey fighters, the issue is a hot one, yet sensitive.  Even Don Cherry is taking heat for his stance on protecting fighting as “part of the game”.  For me though, for every fighter we have in the league we are taking away another “skilled” player’s roster spot.

Okay, back to the game.

Upon replay it appears that Neil instigated the fight, and took a swing before Schenn even knew he was in a fight.  Neil, a seasoned veteran and notable fighter (yes, he has some offensive talent as well), took it to Schenn who did his best to keep up.  Sorry, Luke, wasn’t your day.  Round two to Neil.

While Neil was assessed an extra two minutes for instigating, is that really enough?  I am not suggesting he should be punished under the Criminal Code of Canada, however, at what point should a player in Schenn’s position be considered a victim?  How is it that in the NHL a player can punch another in the face and receive little more than a slap on the wrist?  Yes, they have a history, but so what?  Maybe Shanahan will prove me wrong sooner, rather than later.

Hey, growing up in the most dense hockey market in the world I have an idea of what hockey culture means, and I concede this kind of thing is just part of the game. But it’s a part I don’t care for fighting in hockey.  As our own BKerr pointed out, if fighters are important than why are they often benched for the playoffs? Excellent point.

But let’s get something straight, fighting is not synonymous for physical play.  You can play physically and not be a fighter.  Unfortunately, guys who play physically that don’t fight are labelled as cowards.

Anyway, I don’t think fighting is necessary and I don’t want my kids to grow up knowing it’s part of the game.  Unfortunately for me that may be the reality.

And that is the last word.

College Football Picks, Week 6

Posted on by Lindsay Higgins

#5 Boise State @ Fresno State: How do the Broncos get themselves up for games like this? Some bigger programs have got to take pity on the football-viewing public and play Boise State so they can get an actual game in before their bowl game.

#3 Oklahoma @ #11 Texas: Nothing says Texas like college football and fried peanut butter and jelly, which rumor has it is on the menu at the Texas State Fair this weekend. Call it a hunch, but I see an upset on the menu here as well. Hook ’em, Horns.

Maryland @ #13 Georgia Tech: It’s been an up and down year for Maryland (beating Miami, getting walloped by Temple) and a very up year for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets will remain unbeaten.

Connecticut @ #16 West Virginia: Poor Connecticut. Bad year for UConn and the Connecticut Whale is getting stuck with Sean Avery. West Virginia, easily.

Kentucky @ #18 South Carolina: The Gamecocks are having QB issues, but I still don’t see Kentucky beating them.

#23 Florida State @ Wake Forest: Seminoles by at least 2 TDs.

#19 Illinois @ Indiana: Illinois will remain unbeaten.

Boston College @ #8 Clemson: Clemson and Sammy Watkins will run roughshod over BC.

#17 Florida @ # 1 LSU: Very few defenses can keep up with Florida’s offense. LSU’s is one of them. Add in the Gators’ using their backup QB and I fully expect them to be, as the LSU faithful would say, tiger bait.

Kansas @ #6 Oklahoma State: In the shadow of Oklahoma, the Cowboys are quietly putting together a nice season. They’ll beat the Jayhawks.

Missouri @ #20 Kansas State: K-State in a reasonably close game.

Miami @ #21 Virginia Tech: Still don’t know what a Hokie is, but they should overpower the Hurricanes.

#22 Arizona State @ Utah: Nick Foles and the Wildcats should beat a decent Utah team.

Vanderbilt @ #2 Alabama: Even as a fan of another SEC team, I can’t help but pull for Vanderbilt. Today it’s a distinct exercise in futility. Tide by a considerable margin.

#15 Auburn @ #10 Arkansas: Interesting matchup. I think Auburn is a bit overrated at #15, and I think Arkansas is maybe a little underrated at #10. Hogs will take it.

#12 Michigan @ Northwestern: Can Michigan keep their momentum rolling through conference play? The last three years say no, I say yes.

#24 Texas A&M @ Texas Tech: Aggies take it.

Iowa State @ #25 Baylor: RGIII and Baylor will get back on track with a big game today.

Colorado @ #7 Stanford: Stanford will, yet again, find a way to win.

Ohio State @ #14 Nebraska: Ohio State is going to be missing players to suspension for yet another game, but it won’t matter- Nebraska will win, and would have anyway.

Tabbies Tamed – Down and Out?

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

It was a horrible, horrible football game.  What made it worse is that my wife, who joined me for the first time in close to a decade, was re-introduced the game I love dearly in such a dispassionate, disconcerting way.  I would not blame her if it is another 10 years before she considers it again.  I lost track of how many times I reiterated that “It’s usually not this bad”.  Final score: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33, Hamilton Tiger-Cats 17.

I spent some time considering why Hamilton lost.  Was it that Winnipeg was a better team?  Perhaps marginally, at best.  Maybe there were injuries that were catastrophic?  Aside from Marwan Hage, the starting centre, there weren’t.  Was it coaching?  Weak preparation?  Poor execution?  I think I am getting warmer…

The offence was abysmal.  If it weren’t 11:35pm I would likely have found a more suitable, harsher adjective, but “abysmal” will work for now.  There wasn’t a running game to be found.  Quarterback Kevin Glenn coudn’t hit the broad side of a barn on this night.  The offensive line was, well, barely there.  They provided no protection and no run support.  The receivers made a few bad drops, notably a long ball to Chris Williams on the South sideline.

The defence was marginally better.  I concede they were on the field way, way too much so I will let them off the hook a bit.  Still, if Hamilton is to compete into November the secondary needs to be addressed… tick tock, tick tock…

On a day that the team promoted as being a “Fan’s Choice” day, I would gladly have foregone choosing the team’s first play from scrimmage, the cheerleaders dances and a halftime cameo from Chris Williams for the chance to have watched an entertaining football game.

I have seen hundreds of games at Ivor Wynne in my 25 years as a season seat holder.  Today was far from the worst, but given the talent on the roster I am every bit as disappointed.

Off With His Head!

Posted on by Grant Alexander

With the new NHL season underway, Leafs nation is left to answer the same old question, “Is it enough?” Which means, have the Leafs coaches and management done enough in the off-season to get the Leafs into the playoffs?

My answer is, it could be. I know you’re thinking that with that answer I just skirted the question, and that it’s not a real answer, but let me explain.

I think the moves Brian Burke did in the off-season were mediocre. And quite frankly have been for a while. Are the Leafs going to try to contend for the cup at some point? Or are they happy with their goal to try to make the playoffs? It seems like they have the same team every year, and I think someone needs to give Brian Burke a GPS cause he’s driving in circles! “Hey look kids, Big Ben…Parliament!” (European Vacation). But I digress, and despite his short comings, and his constant band-aid solutions in the off-season, I think he has put together a squad that is “playoff worthy”. Which turns my head to his human firing shield, Ron Wilson.

In my opinion Wilson should have gotten the axe last year. Not just because he has failed to make the playoffs season after season. But because his coaching style doesn’t seem to compliment the Leafs. I don’t think he’s necessarily a bad coach, I just don’t think he’s the right coach for this situation. And here’s why…

He has to work with the tools he’s been given, and they haven’t always been the greatest (especially up front), but on the backend he’s been given some pretty good pieces. Year after year the Leafs have had one of the better defense corps in the East, and in that time they have had one of the worst penalty killing percentages. I keep hearing that they are going to be more proactive on the PK; great. It happens for two games then they drop back to the old soggy box. That’s just plain bad coaching. In net it’s been a revolving door. Toronto hasn’t been blessed with superstar talent, but none of the goalies end up playing to a level that’s even close to their potential. That is partly Allaires fault, but Wilson is the head coach. My main beef with Wilson though is he hasn’t been effective in cultivating the Leafs young talent. Which is imperative due to the lack thereof. he has also been known to point the finger, and throw players under the bus in post-loss interviews. As well as his inability to right the ship during lengthy losing streaks. One thing to his credit though, is he was able to gel together three spare parts in Grabbo, Mac, and Kuley and get them to produce “first line” numbers. But back to reality, and to this year where he has already managed to disgruntle one of his newly acquired young stars in Cody Franson. Franson was third on the depth chart in Nashville, which is a pretty defensive team that went deep into the playoffs. And now on Toronto he is watching the games from the press box!

Anyway, theres nothing that can be done about it now, Wilson is the Maple Leafs coach for the start of the 2011-12 season. But my question to you is… How much rope do you give him? If this is a must win season (and by win I mean just make the playoffs), and you’re the GM, do you give him the season? All-Star break? Send him home early for Christmas? Do you give him 20 games? 10 games? Less? When would you bring the proverbial axe down on Ron Wilson’s head?

NHL Underway – What Kind of Fan are YOU?

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

As six teams begin their quest for Lord Stanley’s cup tonight, I would like to take the opportunity to inform you that we at LastWordOnSports will be bringing you an NHL article every day for the balance of this hockey season.  Unlike so many other one-dimensional blog sites that will report on only one sport, or a single team or player, we will have entries representing many of today’s most endeared sports – think of it as a daily one-stop shop for informative, interesting commentary on the sports you love best.  With that in mind, now I can ask the question, “What kind of sports fan are you?”. Continue reading “NHL Underway – What Kind of Fan are YOU?”

Who Will Be the Champ in Four Years?

Posted on by Mark Modeski

After watching the fights this weekend, seeing Cruz defend his title successfully in fairly dominant fashion, I asked myself whether or not he has beatable at 135lbs? He may not be a perennial finisher, but he seems to handle all of his opponents with relative ease and grace. Is this, because he is a top pound-for-pound fighter? Maybe – but, I’m not sure that’s the case. Continue reading “Who Will Be the Champ in Four Years?”

Giants – Cardinals: Victor Cruz Controversial Fumble?

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Much is being made of the play at the end of the Giants – Cardinals game this week.  With the Giants still behind in the game Victor Cruz caught  a pass near the left hash mark, he was contacted by a defender but regained his balance and ran for a few yards before clearly falling down on his own – never touched by any defender.  At this point he gave up possession of the ball and slowly started to get back up and turn towards the huddle.  Continue reading “Giants – Cardinals: Victor Cruz Controversial Fumble?”

10 Things We Learned In College, Week 5

Posted on by Lindsay Higgins

1. Alabama is for real. Offense, defense, you name it. Circle November 5th on your calendar- that’s the date of the defacto SEC Championship Alabama-LSU game. Both teams are better than anyone in the SEC East. (Possible dark horse: South Carolina) Continue reading “10 Things We Learned In College, Week 5”