Leroy ain't moving...unless...

It took triple overtime, but the Anaheim Ducks managed to even their series with the Detroit Red Wings. I would not be shocked at all if the Ducks finish off the Wings. How much has Ryan Getzlaf's profile grown with his playoff performance? Call him a Team Canada lock for the 2010 Olympics...Cam Ward made 36 saves for the shutout as the Carolina Hurricanes evened their series with the Boston Bruins, the B's first loss in this playoff...the subject of trading Roy Halladay came up again, and while Toronto Blue Jays GM JP Ricciardi didn't call him untouchable, he did say it would take a "boatload" to move Leroy...after Saturday's devestating knockout, Ricky Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and others are thinking it is time the Hitman pack it in. Somehow, you have to figure boxing doesn't really want a guy who brings people from across the pond into Vegas for fights to shut it down quite yet, and can't imagine Hatton wants to go out that way either...seems yesterday's "Rick Roll" wasn't a hit with some RMers. Guess the title wasn't clue enough...hard to believe that a club like Newcastle United are in the relegation zone. The Magpies were pounded 3-0 by Liverpool yesterday, and word is it could've been triple that...speaking of Liverpool, their manager Rafa Benitez is talking smack again, saying Manchester United will slip up in the final handful of games. Somebody needs to explain to Rafa that United can afford to slip up a lot more than Liverpool, what with a three point lead and a game in hand...I really don't understand the logic behind having the second round of the NBA playoffs start while some are still playing the first, but that's what we saw yesterday as the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavs tipped off their series - with the Nuggets an easy winner while the Miami Heat were going down meekly to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of their first round series. If you're David Stern, you'd think you want to sports world focused on a Game 7, no?...the CFL Draft went this weekend, still awaiting confirmation that no dead people were drafted...your PTP today is the Blue Jays/Indians over 10. Enjoy.

Ricky be rolling...

Ricky Hatton suffered one of the scariest knockouts you're likely ever to see at the hands of Manny Pacquiao. Three times he hit the canvas in under two rounds, the last looking like he might be dead quite honestly. Pacquiao is incredible, particularly the speed with which he delivers his punches, and when Hatton started round two looking to brawl and flailing wildly, you had to figure it was only a matter of time before he hit the canvas for a final time...if you believe in omens - good or bad - then this one falls under the latter. In the middle of a storm, the Dallas Cowboys practice bubble collapsed and injured twelve at a rookie camp. No matter really, none of their picks were first rounders as it was...the Minnesota Vikings are seriously considering bringing in Brett Favre. Right, because that'll put them over the top. Can't wait to see the venom that would flow his way going back to Green Bay with a divisional rival...the Washington Capitals held serve in Game 1 of their series, downing the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Heard at least a dozen people bitch about the start time of 1pm yesterday...suddenly, Don Cherry is taking up for Sidney Crosby, calling him the best player in the NHL...WWE star Batista was in Pacquiao's corner last night. Guess that explains the tat on his shoulder...a funny thing happened on the way to a comfortable 2-0 series lead for the Vancouver Canucks. With the 'nucks up 2-0 early, the Black Hawks rallied for five unanswered to take the game and even the series...the Boston Celtics did what champions do last night and defended their turf and finished off the Chicago Bulls at home...after a 1-1 draw in Toronto, the Columbus Crew 0-4-3 on the season, the worst ever record to open a season for a defending MLS champion...best email of the week to the Jim Rome Show comes after Rome interviewed Carolina Hurricane Ray Whitney, who had one of his kids crying in the background. The email read: "Dear Jim, why is Ray Whitney doing his interview from Sidney Crosby's house?"...Real Madrid were smashed 6-2 at home by Barcelona, effectively giving Barca the Spanish championship. Nice showing, Real...finally today, Bukkake gives you a great link to a sports site worth seeing...have a great Sunday.

Tough on the 'ol ticker

Game 7 of the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics goes tonight. Wonder if Danny Ainge has a coronary doctor on standby? The way this series has gone, he may need one...into the final month of the English Premier League we go and you'd have to assume Manchester United gets it done with a lead and game in hand. They'll face Middlesboro this morning - 7:45 Eastern - and are your PTP for today at -1 +109. In other games of note, it'll be interesting to see how Chelsea fares in a London derby against Fulham, who have been a tough mark of late. Liverpool play tomorrow..in what should be an electric atmosphere given their fan support, Ricky Hatton will face Manny Paquiao in yet another compelling boxing matcup this year. With everyone banking on Paquiao, it is almost worth a small wager on The Hitman. He's +203 at Pinnacle...a little late for my NHL Playoff picks, but I've got Anaheim, Vancouver, Boston and Pittsburgh advancing. Who ya got?...shame that what should be a huge series - Pittsburgh and Washington - starts with a 1pm game today...Toronto FC host defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew today as they aim to go 3-0 under coach Chris Cummins...the Kentucky Derby goes today. Not going to pretend I know jack about it other than a lot of ladies will be wearing ridiculous hats...the Montreal Canadiens 100th year continues on in inglorious fashion. Guy Lafleur has been convicted of giving contradictory evidence in his son's trial, and facing jail time...best theory I've heard on Toronto Raptor Jose Calderon's finger injury, which required surgery: he hurt it with his incredibly lame, ineffectual hand clap defence. Awesome..have a great Saturday.

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

It took a few days, but finally found a solid picture of Ricky Hatton post-fight on Saturday with a couple fellow Mancunians who he had carry his belts in. Awesome...while General Motors and the others in the Big Three automakers are busy fighting for a U.S. government bailout - and they showed up in Washington in private jets to underscore how desperate they are - they announced they will not be renewing their endorsement deal with Tiger Woods. I'm sure Tiger is thrilled he'll no longer have to maintain the charade he's a Buick fan and he can now move on to the BMW's of the world...the Arizona Cardinals are complaining because the New York Giants listed Brandon Jacobs as probable and he didn't play? They do know that Jacobs is good, right?...the Pro Bowl looks like it'll move to the week before the Super Bowl which will only make it slightly more relevant...After Tom Brady's first 11 starts in the NFL, his completion percentage was 66.3%. Matt Cassel's over the same time frame? 66.3%...a bad idea: the Philadelphia Eagles, circling the toilet bowl, and a Thursday night Thanksgiving Day game. Expect ugliness...Michael Vick is eyeing an early release once his last charge is resolved, and will be out July 20th, 2009 or sooner it appears. It'll be interesting to see how Roger Goodell handles his status following that...Doug Flutie is being mentioned as a possible Toronto Argos coach. Maybe they can look to see if he still feels at all like playing. With their inability to get a solid QB of late, it couldn't hurt...while completing today's entry, Drew Brees passed for another 300 yards. Wonder if San Diego would like a do-over on that deal that saw them favor Phillip Rivers?...have a great Tuesday.