GO CANADA!

If the Canadian Men's hockey team loses to Slovakia, I will think the end of the world is near. Frankly, I'll be shocked if they don't win by five, and then go on to throttle Finland or the U.S. in the gold medal game.

The Canadian Women's hockey team won the Olympic gold for the third straight time with a 2-0 shutout of the U.S. Worst part of the story? Hearing the IOC is sour that the ladies celebrated on the ice, in an empty arena, with some beers, champagne and cigars. How very IOC of them. That said, I could see the IOC chastising them for drinking that Molson Canadian swill.

Joannie Rochette = Man. And I don't say that at all to be insulting.

First Chelsea lost left back Ashley Cole to a broken ankle for three months, and now will be minus starting goalie Petr Cech for a month after he tore a calf muscle. The English Premier League race is about to get even a little more interesting I suspect.

Why is it "women's" hockey but "ladies" figure skating? 'Splain!

How awesome is that Roger's "Mix" channel (396) for seeing what is where on the Olympic coverage?

Cassie Campbell thinks the men's hockey team's failures in 2006 stem from them not taking a group picture with the women's team like they did in previous years or since. At least she's not taking herself too seriously.

The idea that the John Terry Affair won't be affecting the English national team can officially be put to bed now that Wayne Bridge, whose baby mama Terry tapped, has declined a call up to the English team for a friendly with Egypt and openly said he doesn't think his inclusion would be anything but a distraction. Translation: he couldn't see himself not pounding Terry in his smug face.

Forgot to mention yesterday that Okalhoma City Thunder Kevin Durant's streak of 25+ point games ended on Wednesday night after 29 games.

Some Tony Kornheiser gems to keep you busy while he continues serving that ridiculous suspension by ESPN.

The NFL has decided not to punish Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable for smacking around an assistant coach last season and breaking his jaw. Well, at least they weren't waffling on the subject and got around to a decision quickly. Cable would be happy, if not for the fact that said assistant is now suing him for millions.

Have a great Friday. It'll be a late edition tomorrow with a night out in Toronto tonight for the big game. Enjoy. Go Canada!

RM returns at 2pm today.

You two won't be needing a shower after this one

Canada completely overwhelmed Russia last night in racing out to a 6-1 lead early in the second en route to a no-doubter 7-3 curbstomping of Russia. Not sure what was more shocking, that result or that Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin were mostly invisible all night. Hey, at least I had the side and the part about Russia getting three goals right in an easy -1 +143 wager winner on Canada. Next up are Slovakia, surprise winners over defending champion Sweden. The other semi-final will see the U.S. facing Finland. I'm going to go out on a very sturdy branch and guarantee a Canadian win Friday, and even more confidently guarantee that bars are going to be very, very happy Friday night.

Just wondering, is there anyone out there that is actually looking forward to the NHL returning after the quality of this tournament? If so, you're lying.

Going into tonight's gold medal game in women's hockey, the U.S. and Canada have combined to outscore their opponents 86-4. Yeah, quality competition, this. The Canadian women have wom seven of ten meetings against the U.S. this season. Not sure what is meant by "season" exactly, but there you have it.

Chicago White Sox manager and resident powder keg Ozzie Guillen has climbed aboard the Twitterverse, and GM Kenny Williams is less than impressed.

Pitchers and catchers have reported now, and for some teams position players as well. But to save checking out a collection of Derek Jeter's best work, we're going to look at the WAGs of pitchers and catchers. Have to say, Ashley Papelbon looks about how I figured the wife of that D-Bag Jonathan would look.

Author Roland Lazenby has a new book coming out on LA Lakers legend Jerry West (aka "The Logo") in which he debunks the story that Wilt Chamberlain was as successful with the ladies as he claimed to be. The Stilt, you may recall, once said he'd slept with 20,000 women over the years. While we're on the topic, I'm gonna call B.S. on KISS bassist Gene Simmons claims he's north of 5,000 while we're at it, mostly because I'd prefer to think ladies have some kind of taste, or pride. Hate that twat. Literally.

Don't look now, but Canada is tied for the lead in gold medals at the Olympics. Maybe it isn't quite "Disown The Podium" after all?

Have a great Thursday.

Two Old Rivals Renew Hostilities

The dream hockey match-up - Canada vs. Russia - will be a quarter-final affair instead of the much hoped final on Sunday. Canada downed Germany 8-2 last night and while it was good to see the offence show up, can't take big comfort in Roberto Luongo flopping about in giving up a pair. Word from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star (via Twitter) is that not some players were not impressed that Mike Babcock passed over Rick Nash to let Sidney Crosby take the penalty shot after Nash was hauled down.

The puck drops at 7:30 and the roads around Canada will be mostly deserted at what should be another record viewing audience. Prediction? Russia has hardly brought the offensive lumber they were projected to and have struggled to score the last two games, and have been getting some shaky goaltending, all of which should sound familiar. I'm going to say Canada wins a thriller 5-3.

Alex Ovechkin will surely get plenty of attention tonight. S.L. Price - and who the hell goes by S.L.? - at SI.com says Ovechkin haunts Canada's gold dreams.

Champions League action continues today and the matchup's don't get any juicier than Chelsea visiting Inter Milan in what should be a fantastic game. I'm sure former Chelsea manager Jose Morinho has more than a few quotes at the ready for post-game. That one kicks off at 2:45 on CITY-TV.

PTI host Tony Kornheiser has been suspended from work for two weeks for commenting on his radio show that Hannah Storm was sporting a less than flattering outfit. Didn't know you could be suspended for stating your opinion on someone's outfit. Way to go, ESPN, how very freedom of speech of you.

Best line of the spring so far: Chicago White Sock Andrew Jones showed up in great shape and about 25 pounds lighter than last year. And he proclaimed to all who'd listen "I am the best centre fielder you guys have in camp." To which Joey Cora replied, "You should be. Only pitchers and catchers have reported." That's the hardest hit of Cora's career.

Check out the 20 Funniest Figure Skating Faces. Awesome stuff.

There is a school of thought that exists that because the NHL didn't get coverage on NBC of the U.S. vs. Canada on Sunday, they may jump ship on future Olympic involvement. Now, if Gary Bettman's logic is that lack of support means you ought to change plans, then he should be looking to move a few teams out of markets that clearly don't care.

Sh!t on Jaromir Jagr?

Nice work at the right by ESPN in their caption of Alexander Ovechkin's hit on Jaromir Jagr on Sunday.

Heard something about a hockey game tonight. Details?

Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett is living up to his rep as one of baseball's bad seeds. Entering the final year of his deal with the Sox, his contract demands are pretty straightforward: he is insisting he be the highest paid player on the team, nevermind he didn't perform nearly to that level at times. That said, he's been a playoff stud his entire career, and the Sox are going to have to back up the Brinks truck for him, or he's gonzo.

Nice of Manny Ramirez of the LA Dodgers to predict this will be his last season with the Dodgers and Randy Moss to predict this will be his last year with the New England Patriots. Wouldn't it be great if their teams came out and said "yep, dead right!"?

When asked if Roberto Luongo would be the goalie for the remainder of the Olympic tourney, Canadian coach Mike Babcock replied "that's the plan" which also marks the first indication he's got a plan. Best crack on Babcock to date: "what does Babcock know about coaching Canadian players?"

Check out these absolutely amazing pictures from the Olympics so far. Wish I had a camera that could take shots like these.

Not sure about you, but I find it real annoying hearing Cassie Campbell call a play "sick" or talking about her time as a player. The Canadian women's team earned a gold medal shot Thursday against the U.S. with an easy 5-0 win over Finland. The U.S. pounded Sweden 9-1. The women's tourney has been the polar opposite of the men's: predictable, dull, non-competitive.

The San Diego Chargers took the "LT" out of "Bolts" yesterday in releasing LaDanian Tomlinson. ProFootballTalk figures he could land in Minnesota or Indianapolis.

Finally today, Hitler reacts to the Canadian loss on Sunday to the U.S. Incredible finishing line on Dany Heatley. Wow.

Get off the ledge, Canada...

I'm going to go against the grain here, partly because I prefer to in many instances, and suggest everybody dial the national angst down and relax. Yes, Canada lost 5-3 to a hungrier U.S. side but save for a ridiculous goaltending performance from Ryan Miller, Canada wins that game easy. Sure, you can think that Martin Brodeur was at fault, though I don't know how Sidney Crosby deflecting pucks into his own net is Brodeur's doing, but you'd be ignoring the series of saves Brodeur made to keep the Canucks in the game the further on it went. Sure, the road is a little tougher with an extra game in there now but it is Germany and last I checked, we're not playing soccer, we're playing hockey and they'll always be inferior. That would see Canada face the Russians next who are having trouble scoring, and are getting shaky goaltending. Sound familiar? If Canada can't get up for that, at home, then they deserve the beating they'll take in the media and public over the next months and years, but they will. That'll likely mean a date with Sweden, the defending champion, Friday night in the semis. Impossible to beat? Hardly. Point is they're very much in this thing still and don't be surprised if they're in the gold medal game Sunday. I know I won't be. That said, for the love of all that is logical, keep Chris Pronger far far away from any important minutes, and as I said last week, coach Mike Babcock needs to settle on lime combination and live or die with them. The constant tinkering has gotten him nowhere thus far.

Canadian hockey fans cheer for a hit the way English soccer fans cheer a cross field pass that doesn't advance the ball. Sure, it is part of the game, but hardly the objective, unless, of course, you go like Alexander Ovechkin did yesterday with a crushing mid-ice hit on Jaromir Jagr that nearly dislodged his mullet and led to what would be the winning Russian goal.

Good friend of RM Bronx Bomber, who has his own blog cryptically entitled "Gambling and Hatred For Everything That Isn't Me" writes this piece on last night's hockey game and why the loss is pretty satisfying in a way. He makes good points that are sure to infuriate some.

The New York Mets hit 73 fewer homers than the major league average last year, so are cutting the size of the walls at Citi Field in half to 8'. They might want to move them in some, too.

Are mullets standard issue with Czech hockey helmets?

San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie is off to a hell of a start for his career at the tender age of 25. He's got 7 kids with 6 baby mamas in 5 states. Are 'domes not available in his world?

The MLS is assuring fans it will not lock players out and will play the 2010 season under the just expired rules. Problem is the players haven't said they won't strike, though it seems hard to imagine they would.

Wondering if The Lord told Deion Sanders to wager $100 on his son's football game, a game contested by seven and eight year old's? But hey, at least he won.

Have a great Monday.

Border War

John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal tweeted on why NBC is showing ice dancing ahead of the Canada vs. U.S. hockey game today. Regardless of that number, I have a hard time believing the U.S. public would prefer ice dancing to hockey, but then again, there is that whole American Idol thing to rationalize away. The two teams will get it on at 7:30 tonight with a whole lot at stake in the form of a higher seeding come the knockout rounds, and there's a tonne of pressure on Canada after a less than impressive second game against Switzerland.

Cain Velazquez knocked Minotauro Noguiera half way back to the U.S. at UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia in what some call a sizeable upset. Velazquez moves to a perfect 8-0 and has injected himself into the title picture to face Brock Lesnar down the road. Fantastic card overall, with none of the fights broadcast going the distance.

Everton continue to play the part of giant killers, with recent wins over Chelsea and yesterday, over Manchester United to their credit. American Landon Donovan continues to play real well during his loan period from the LA Galaxy.

The latest in the comedy of errors that is Vancouver 2010: a security guard with leprosy. And here I thought that stuff went out when the Bible was written.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman took the time to announce that the NHL is not opting out of future Olympic involvement. Guess he figures nobody will notice he didn't exactly say they were opting in, either.

Thanks to this past Thursday's deadline deal that brought the New York Knicks Tracy McGrady, the Knicks will now have $32 million to spend this summer when the big free agents - LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh - hit the market. That is ample money to get two of those three, and it wouldn't shock me if they get LeBron and say "tell us who you want" of the others. If Knicks GM Donnie Walsh can pull that off, he'll have earned his money.

30 Hot Female Tennis Players. Why not?

The great free agent soap opera of the baseball off-season is over, as Johnny Damon signed with the Detroit Tigers. I'm sure he'll be glad to sign for one year and $8 million after his agent Scott Boras told the New York Yankees, the team Damon desperately wanted to stay with, he wouldn't take a paycut from the $13 million he made last year and demanded a two year deal. That'll be worth chipping off 5% to him. At least the real estate in Detoilet is cheap.

So about that "Own the Podium" thing...nevermind.

In case you missed Mike Milbury's latest crack at Alexander Ovechkin, check it out here. Good to see Jeremy Roenick tune him like a harp on this debate. Hilarious to hear Milbury go on about what it takes to have a leader or put together a winning team. Wasn't he the guy who put the New York Islanders into the toilet?

More of the same old Tiger

The picture at right is the only time when Tiger Woods wasn't spewing bullshit yesterday. The only way that the presser would've been more ridiculous is if he rolled out Tom Cruise and John Travolta and went Scientologist on us all. Until this morning when I caught the video below, I was about the only one who hadn't seen it or Avatar, and my guess is that both appear about as genuine as the other. As usual, Jason Whitlock hammers it out of the park in this analysis in which he says Tiger asking for people to believe in him is as ridiculous as people doing so and that he's merely a corporate pitchman. Great stones not taking questions, Tiger. Rose DiManno at the Toronto Star decodes Tiger's speech brilliantly. Bill Simmons (aka "The Sports Guy") is the lone voice at ESPN not slurping Tiger and called this a borderline trainwreck. You can watch the performance here. Points deducted for a horribly collared shirt against his suit.

UFC 110 goes tonight from Sidney, Australia, the first time that UFC ventures Down Under. The main event will see Minotaura Nogueira take on the fast rising Cain Velasquez in a heavyweight bout, with the winner very much injected into the title picture. The rest of the card appears here.

NY Mets pitcher Johan Santana either knows something we all don't, or has lost the plot. He declares that the Mets will win the World Series, and he means this year, and also thinks he's the best pitcher in the NL East. Sure, if not for Roy Halladay and arguably Josh Johnson.

Manchester United visit Everton in the most attractive English Premier League match-up of the day, though not weekend. That'd be tomorrow's Liverpool/Manchester City tilt.

If you missed Them Crooked Vultures on PBS last night, one, it sucks to be you, and two, you can catch it here.

Great start to Antawn Jamison's days as a Cleveland Cavalier. 0-12 from the field as the Cavs went down 110-93 in Charlotte. Maybe now Phil Jackson and Doc Rivers will stop whining of how unfair the trade was and that the Cavs got 'tawn for next to nothing?

Seems that the luge/skeleton/bobsled run isn't just causing one injury (death) for one who committed a serious driver error. There have been a few others hospitalized - one with a spinal injury - and others left concussed. But more importantly, Canada won the men's skeleton gold!

The Olympic ice dancing pair of Alexandra and Roman Zaretsky aren't a couple, they're brother and sister. Extremely incestuous pics here.

Have a great Saturday.

Narrow escape

Tiger Woods will deliver his speech to the chosen sycophants this morning. There's a leaked version of the speech allegedly making the rounds in which he admits his marriage is done like one of John Daly's half dozen or so. Ernie Els isn't happy with the timing of the "presser" as it will take away from the Accenture - a company who dropped Tiger, not coincidentally - Match Play Championship. Els is taking himself far too seriously, it would take away regardless of timing and he ought to be thanking Eldrick for increasing the prize monies for the entire PGA. Not like golf has much of an off season, too. The always thought provoking Jason Whitlock thinks Tiger should retire.

Back to sports now.

Canada was life and death to beat Switzerland last night and needed a shootout to do it in a 3-2 final win. Martin Brodeur clutched up with four saves in the shootout and that ought to keep him between the pipes going forward. Sidney Crosby really wasn't a factor until the shootout where he scored the winner, though the constant line changes can't be helping. Damn impressive were Joe Thornton and Shea Weber. Not sure what Mike Babcock is doing changing lines so often. I know it is "early" and he's trying to find the right combinations, but in a tight game, that kind of thing breeds panic, and there's a reason the Sharks line looks the most organized shift in and out. Canada will have to really step up next game to beat the U.S. if they are to get an easier draw in the knockout rounds. In the upset of the tourney so far, the Russians lost 2-1 in the shootout to Slovakia.

Strange baseball fact: the Milwaukee Brewers spent as much this off-season as the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox did combined on free agents. More crazy: the Kansas City Royals spent as much as the Yankees did.

While on the subject of money and baseball, Alex Rodriguez will have earned $470,404,010 for his career when his contract expires in 10 years time. That doesn't include any bonuses to come, which could total $30 million in his home run record chase alone, or any endorsements.

While you've been reading this entry, Canadian coach Mike Babcock changed line combinations three more times.

Seems the story we had here Sunday on an NHL team moving to Winnipeg has reached the mainstream media, as the Winnipeg Free Press acknowledges rumors of the Atlanta Thrashers moving north.

That stripper who once accused a few Duke lacrosse players of raping her - they were declared innocent - is back in the news. This time, for attempted murder. Nice work.

Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin was busted on a DUI in Arizona, which of course has brought about the name "Hasbeenboozin". Fantastic stuff, Bukakke.

Put down the pen, Mike Babcock.

That's what she said!

In case you missed one of the best reasons for a student to be hit with a detention, check out the picture at right.

Word is that Tiger Woods is going to come out of hiding Friday to make a statement at PGA headquarters. If it is anything like the previous Tiger Woods, I'm sure it'll be real electric stuff by which, of course, I mean dull as hell. That said, expect beyond ridiculous coverage, even though it appears Tiger is keeping the invitees to his trusted lackey's, err, media members.

Canada has a little payback in mind tonight in men's hockey when they'll face Switzerland, who embarrassingly bounced Canada out of the Turin Olympics four years ago. There's a lot of pressure on Martin Brodeur in goal after Roberto Luongo pitched a shutout to open two nights back, to go alongside a shutout in his last NHL start. Anything looking shaky and it will be hard to go back to Brodeur Sunday, though my guess is he does just fine and takes the ball here on out. Yours truly is having a wonderful run betting Canada - male and female - in Olympic hockey, among others, so do yourself a favor and click on the Pinnacle link above and get down tonight.

It was amateur hour for Arsenal and their goalie Lukasz Fabianski, who was soft on one goal, and brain dead on another, as the Gunners lost 2-1 at FC Porto. The highlights of the second goal have to be seen to be believed. Hit this site and scroll down to the appropriate game. In other Champions League action, Bayern Munich downed Fiorentina 2-1 at home. Also of note in the round of 16: if Real Madrid fail to come back and defeat Lyon in their round of 16 matchup, that will be five straight years that Real has gone out in that very round. No pressure, CR9 et al.

Chris Bosh is having an unbelievable year for the Toronto Raptors, his best ever no doubt. But the fans that are cheering "MVP" at the Air Canada Centre need to drop a foot or two into reality. They're a barely over .500 team and while he's important, he's not what LeBron James or Kobe Bryant are to their teams.

It is the NBA trade deadline and unlike the NHL version, the sporting world in Canada is moving along just fine. Would love to see the Toronto Raptors deal Jose Calderon and his terrible contract, but I'll settle for just dealing Jose Calderon. The Cleveland Cavaliers dealt for Antawn Jamison in what could (should?) be the final piece of the puzzle for them to take the Eastern Conference.

Mark McGwire took the first day of camp for the St. Louis Cardinals, his first day as the Cards hitting coach, to apologize for steroid use. He commented that he thinks "people understand how truly sorry I [am]" to which people responded, nodding: "not very".

Cincinnati Bengal Chad Ochocinco wants Terrell Owens to join the Bengals so badly he'll take a paycut to do so, or at least that is what he says here. He also reveals he and QB Carson Palmer aren't exactly best of friends in the off-season.

Tom Verducci at SI.com presents his annual look at "at risk" pitchers, those that had a considerable increase in innings from last season to the season prior by age 25 or younger pitchers.

As if the world needed more reasons to mock Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, he gave it one. When Wade Phillips goes on the road, he thinks it is fun to stay at the "Y-M-C-A"...

8 is enough...to cover!

It took a period and change to hit the scoreboard, but the Canadian men's hockey team really got rolling once they did, and were 8-0 winners over a game Norway team, who to their credit didn't try to kill the game. Once Canadian coach Mike Babcock put Jarome Iginla on the first line with Sidney Crosby and Rick Nash, the red and white started lighting up the scoreboard. Nash is a beast in front of the net and such a crazy combo of size and speed. Most impressive was a very mobile and energetic defensive group, albeit against a lesser opponent. Up next are Switzerland, tomorrow night at 7:30 Eastern.

Maelle Ricker scored Canada's second gold of the Olympics, this time in the snowboard cross, and about a week from now, that may be the norm rather than particularly noteworthy if some predictions are to be believed.

First it was a lack of snow that led to the cancellation of some Olympic events, and yesterday, it was too much snow that led to some skiing events getting bumped. If this Olympics were in the U.S., our media would be teeing off on the Americans, as if they control the weather.

Not sure why, but I find it very funny that Pierre Mcguire's given name isn't Pierre, but is Regis. No, seriously.

Wayne Rooney is turning in an all-time season for Manchester United now that he's the focal point with Cristiano Ronaldo off to Real Madrid. Rooney took over in the second half as Manchester United scored a big road win of 3-2 over AC Milan. Definitely my fav player in sports right now. As for Ronaldo, he and Real were 1-0 losers at Olympique Lyon in their first round of 16 leg. Up today, Arsenal travels to face FC Porto and Bayern Munich host Fiorentina.

In the Olympic hockey tourney, a regulation win gets you three points. A win in overtime or by shootout two points with the loser getting one. Seems far more sensible than what the NHL is working, no? Mix in no touch icing, the almost certain lack of fighting and games that are far quicker paced and to complete and small wonder Gary Bettman and the NHL don't want their inferior game exposed to the spotlight, they're afraid people might want this stuff all the time.

Think UFC is doing alright? They've got UFC 112 slated to take place in the money pit that is Abu Dhabi on April 10th.

The IOC isn't happy with U.S. goalie Ryan Miller for having "Miller Time" on his goalie mask. It is a good thing the IOC isn't taking themselves too seriously. The U.S. beat Switzerland 3-1 to open their quest for gold.

If you're wondering, the next Winter Olympics will be in Sochi, Russia, which this week is seeing weather of +15 with rain.

I don't know who ESPN's Jenn Brown is, but judging from these pics, I'm guessing we'd all like to.

I'll be clear here: I hate figure skating. Hate. But I love me some figure skating wipeouts, especially of the Olympic varietal. As an added bonus, the commentator's sigh's of disappointment are fantastic.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if the WWE worked discussions of steroid eras into its Hall of Fame discussions that are always a part of its broadcasts leading up to WrestleMania weekend? There's a lot of potentially great comedy there.

Very classy of Oprah Winfrey to mistake Drew Brees birthmark on his face as lipstick.

Silver Surfer

A malfunctioning cauldron at the opening ceremonies, death on the luge track, horrible weather as far as winter is concerned, and now choppy ice at the speed skating oval. A banner start to the Olympics it hasn't been in Vancouver.

Snowboard cross takes two runs and more than 2 hours to narrow the field from 35 to 32. Only the NHL taking 80 games to go from 21 teams to 16 playoff teams in the 80's seems like a worse idea. Had to laugh hearing that tool of a broadcaster Jamie Campbell call a race "totally rad" in a manner that Pinnochio would've found wooden. That said, the races where four race head to head are wild to watch.

With all the coverage between SportsNet's regional channels, TSN and CTV, you'd think they could still find room to get some huge Champions League games covered over the next two days. Not like anyone would want to see Manchester United visit AC Milan or Lyon host Real Madrid today. The games will air on Setanta and City TV, respectively.

Nice work, Tiger Woods, knocking up a porn star TWICE in your bang-em-all tour. Wouldn't that take some kind of potency, presuming of course said porn star - Josyln James in this case - would be at least on the biscuit to protect her ability to work? And you'd think Eldrick might have worked some precautions of his own.

The English Premier League is contemplating awarding its fourth Champions League spot, traditionally belonging to the fourth place team, to the winner of a mini-playoff between the 4th through 7th place teams. In related news, fans of Manchester City and Liverpool are applauding the idea, and pushing for its immediate implementation.

Not sure how women's hockey is in the Olympics with a field of two contenders, three on a good day. Funny that Slovakia, the squad the Canadian ladies pounded 18-0, famously beat Bulgaria 82-0 and outshot them 139-0 in the run-up to the Olympics.

With baseball's Spring Training but days away, the NY Post's Joel Sherman looks at the winners and losers of the offseason. Good news, Toronto Blue Jays fans: you show up on the side of that equation you want to be on.

Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant has scored 25 or more points in 25 straight games. He's still a long way off from Michael Jordan's record 40. "The Association" is back in action tonight after the All-Star break, and ought to be an interesting week with the trade deadline looming this Thursday.

If you didn't know, the men's Olympic hockey team gets it going tonight with Norway the sacrificial lamb (with apologies to regular RM reader "Norway"). Roberto Luongo gets the start in goal. In case you missed Sunday's edition, take a peak there for a hell of a rumor on two teams moving north to Canada.

The only way that proposing to your would be wife on the big screen at a sporting event isn't lame is if she shuts you down, like this girl did to her boyfriend this past Sunday - Valentine's Day - at a New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden.

Gold at last!

Alexandre Bilodeau will forever be the man that won Canada's first gold medal on home soil after two Olympics where gold never came to the red and white. Bilodeau won in men's moguls, and if you didn't get swept up in the win and the story of his brother, you don't have a heart beating.

Damien Cox of the Toronto Star asks a pretty valid question via Twitter: "Imagine if Toronto had screwed up the Olympic cauldron lightning? Criticism from the rest of Canada would be withering." Yes, it would indeed. And frankly, more hilarious.

Good to see that NBC - partner of the NHL, allegedly - values hockey so much that this Sunday's Canada vs. U.S. men's game will be relegated to MSNBC in favor of who knows what else. I can see why NHL Commish Gary Bettman isn't the biggest fan of the Olympic involvement for that reason. That said, he's a fool if he thinks he can extricate his players now. One, they want to play. Two, they will play if guys like Alex Ovechkin are saying they're going regardless of the consequences.

Speaking of Ovechkin, he and Sidney Crosby go into Olympic break tied at 42 goals each, setting up what should be a wild Rocket Richard Trophy race.

One thing I'm absolutely certain of is I'll never have much of an interest in NASCAR. But, hearing of what a disaster their most important race was yesterday as the Daytona 500 had to be stopped twice for pot holes on the track is pure entertainment and worthy of a mention. The only way this all could've ended better is if a foreign driver in a Toyota would've won it.

Ryan Getzlaf ought to have put any questions as to his health to bed with a two goal, two assist showing last night in the Anaheim Ducks 7-3 win. Then again, it was only the Edmonton Oilers. I hate that I can say that.

I cannot believe 108,713 caught the NBA All-Star Game at all, nevermind that they were in attendance live at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The East were 141-139 winners thanks to a huge Deron Williams brain cramp down the stretch where he fouled with the game tied, thinking the West was losing.

Why is it Cristiano Ronaldo has to always talk of moves to other teams down the road? Stay where you are, play your rear off, stop talking. Ronaldo's latest talk is of going back to Manchester United because they're his "family". Right.

Have a great Family Day.

2 NHL teams to Canada?

Here's a juicy one to open the day, on a day where readership is generally the lowest. Word came to a good friend of mine from a recent employee of the MTS Centre in Winnipeg that they've got an NHL team coming back to the 'peg (details on who coming...read on!). He starts looking into it and talks to a mutual friend who is well connected in NHL circles who asks one contact if it is true, and the contact doesn't deny he's heard the same story. Who is potentially moving, you wonder? Not one team, but two. The Phoenix Coyotes are going to ultimately head back to Winnipeg, and the Atlanta Thrashers to Quebec City. The source wouldn't deny he had heard that possibility, and said things will remain quiet during the Olympics. Juicy, juicy stuff if that pans out. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

Joel Sherman at the NY Post has a great piece on why the New York Mets might want to look at Alex Rodriguez as their patron saint because a turnaround need not be so far off. The Mets have a lot of redemption work to do, they've got a public profile in New York only slightly cleaner than Al-Qaeda.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is the latest to participate in the alarming early 2010 athlete trend of having their junk displayed for all the world to see. I think it'd only be fair if his wife got naked for us all. Come on Cheryl, you can do it.

Is the Slam Dunk contest over yet?

When you see a Canadian short tracker labeled favorite and he finishes fourth, and Jenn Heil takes silver in the moguls instead of the gold she had last time out, you start getting the feeling that this whole "own the podium" thing might not happen, no? But hey, at least our women's hockey team throttled Slovakia 18-0. That has to leave us feeling good about ourselves.

It is one of my favorite phrases: "pitchers and catchers report this week". Love me some baseball!

In a sure sign of the Cleveland Cavaliers intentions for this season, they're close to dealing for Amare Stoudemire. I get why they'd want him, but they do know him and Shaq didn't exactly play well together in Shaq's time in Phoenix, right?

Miami Heat (...er?) Dwayne Wade is dealing with some nasty accusations from his ex-wife, who is talking of his philandering ways that led to STD's, talking of how his kids don't even recognize him for all the time he's spent with them, and how he held "drug parties" at a business associate's condo. Your move, D-Wade.

Speaking of Wade, here's an interesting piece from ESPN Insider, where Wade talks about recruiting other players over the All-Star Weekend: "We all are pretty cordial as it is, but at All-Star Weekend we do talk more. We communicate. We're not stupid, we know what's going on around the league. There's a lot of secret recruiting going on." Though Wade didn't get too specific here, according to [Insider] there's one guy in particular he's trying to woo this weekend: Toronto's big man Chris Bosh.

Steve Nash is The Most Ridiculous Man In The World. Side note: Vitamin Water kicks ass, love that stuff, XXX and Recover most significantly.

3 of 4 will have to do

Does a luger luge his life or lose? Of all the articles I read on the death of the Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili yesterday, none were better than this one from SI.com which points the blame squarely at Canadian officials for creating such a ridiculously fast course, and then not allowing other teams extensive access to it so they'd have some experience on it. Worse, somebody didn't bother to think that maybe covering exposed steel beams at a corner might be a good idea, even football figured that one out and their guys aren't going 135km/h with no pads on. Nice home advantage, Canada, get the other athletes killed. Chilling pictures that there's no need to pass on here as all have seen them. And now I see the show will indeed go on.

How much Red Bull do you figure those dancing for the entire Olympic Opening Ceremony march downed before the event? And is it me, or was Rey Mysterio in the dignitaries box? How did anyone from B.C. with a music career of any success get used except for 54:40 and Loverboy? No respect. KD Lang is looking more like PeeWee Herman by the day. And how about the one moment you want right, the torch being lit, being botched when one of the hydraulics didn't come up? Well done, VANOC. Great idea having Wayne Gretzky ride in the back of a truck in the pouring rain trying to wave and not fall out the back at the same time to get to the waterfront to light the outdoor cauldron too. Moses parting the Red Sea had an easier time getting to a point than they did getting him through the crowd that was run alongside of and in front of the vehicle.

It is NBA All-Star weekend and I won't go into my usual rant of how All-Star games suck in most sports because they don't resemble the regular game more often than not, baseball excepted, or how lame the dunk contest is. What should be impressive and actually of interest is how many NBAers and their entourage's get in trouble in Dallas' myriad of strip joints. The game itself goes tomorrow at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, and is expected to draw 100,000, or a point per attendee.

Check out this loser going on at length how the New Orleans Saints onside kicking to start the second half was dirty pool and there should be a rule against that because the coin toss says you chose to receive to start or defer to the second half. They received alright, right in Hank Baskett's facemask. Gonna go out on a very thick branch here and suggest this guy is either an Indianapolis Colts fan, or lost something over a dollar on them.

It seems the St. Louis Rams definitely won't be coming north to Toronto, unless it is to visit the Buffalo Bills in the coming years. The Rams were sold to a buyer who wants to keep them in St. Louis.

It'll take you 35 clicks, but well worth seeing the 35 Funniest TV Captions of All The Times.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says that if asked, defender Wayne Bridge would not decline an England invite despite the shit show that has gone down the last month over the John Terry affair. Wonder if that dressing room would be at all awkward with those two in it and playing side by side?

No English Premier League action this weekend, no NBA, and no NFL. That leaves the last few games of the NHL season before the Olympic break as the focal point of the sports weekend, Olympics aside.

Speaking of John Terry, who do you suppose talked up how his affair with a former teammates (now ex) girlfriend and mother of his child would be applauded in some countries? Very progressive thinking, FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Why not just excuse racism because it is "acceptable" in some countries?

I've got a hell of a story for you to open tomorrow. That's all I'll say for now.

Light that torch, Gretz!

The Olympic opening ceremonies go tonight and I'd be shocked if it is anyone but Wayne Gretzky who lights the torch. While not a decorated Olympian, few athletes are more well known globally than The Great One.

Loved the Toronto Star headline a few days back in the print edition on the new owner of the Toronto Argos, David Braley, also being the owner of the B.C. Lions: "Major embarrassment for a minor league." Check out Damien Cox skewering of the Argos and CFL
here.

Indianapolis Colts owner Bill Polian has taken to the media to blame Sunday's Super Bowl loss on the offensive line and special teams. Guess he missed the terribly conservative game plan coach Jim Caldwell was working, and that for three quarters, the Colts defence couldn't make any plays? Oh, and that ill-advised pass by Peyton Manning that landed square in Tracy Porter's chest. Maybe the fact he forgot Herm Edwards "you play to win the game" speech down the stretch when they yanked starters had something to do with it?

Speaking of people who should never speak, MLSE head honcho Richard Peddie says that Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo is not, as has been rumored, moving to the New Jersey Nets or New York Knicks and he'll stick around to the end of his contract which ends after the 2010-11 season. Peddie would be wise to start working on an extension for Colangelo, though I suspect Colangelo will decide if he stays based on if stud player Chris Bosh stays.

Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole broke his ankle and is out three months, leaving his fitness for the World Cup in doubt. Guessing Wayne Bridge is pretty torn whether to step in and play next to John Terry who, of course, tapped his baby mama. And how about the break coming during a collision with Landon Donovan, of Everton and the U.S.? The U.S. and England of course will face each other in group play.

Who but the Cincinnati Bengals would look to work out Pacman Jones and Matt Jones, two guys charged with crimes?

And hey, whatever happened to Bigheadedjerk?

Turns out that when you're going onto the ice to play hockey, your skate guards being on do more harm than good.

Plenty of good seats available!

That picture is not some trick photography. That's what 1,016 fans looks like at an NBA game in New Jersey last night.

From 1999 through 2002, the Atlanta Thrashers had four picks in top two of the NHL draft - Patrik Stefan, Dany Heatley, Ilya Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen. Not one of them remains with the team.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, not exactly the poster boy for health, was given a Carolina Hurricane's jersey to replace a Philadelphia Flyers one he was wearing at a game a couple nights ago. Unfortunately, when he yanked off the Flyers jersey, the shirt he was wearing underneath it also came off. Photograph evidence not for the weak stomached, of the weak stomached, here. ESPN's Josh Elliott on Ryan's wardrobe change: "HD is a punishing technology."

Interesting to hear that the Champions League final will be broadcast live on Fox in the U.S.

Over the course of their 14 game winning streak, which ended with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens last night, the Washington Capitals outscored opponents 30-6 in the third period of games.

Wild afternoon of English Premier League action yesterday, as Arsenal downed Liverpool, which, with Chelsea losing to Everton 2-1 and Manchester United drawing at Aston Villa, leaves the top of the table slightly more compact. Tottenham appears to be fading some, they lost to Wolves. In other Arsenal news, Gunners captain and one of the world's top players Cesc Fabregas is denying there is a deal in place to have him move to Barcelona this summer. Barcelona is issuing similar denials. Translation? Expect Fabregas move to Barcelona to be confirmed this summer. Bet on it.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney ranks the top five pitching staffs as the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Anaheim Angels, and St. Louis Cardinals. Interestingly, the Philadelphia Phillies didn't make the cut, though Olney says had they kept Cliff Lee, they'd be tops.

Check out the Top 10 most ridiculously over the top calls by commentators:

No fewer than six NHL teams will start next season with games in Europe. The NHL announced on Tuesday that the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks will play a total of six games combined at the outset of the 2010-11 season. Now, I think the idea is lame in general, but how does the PA agree to send teams that already pull high revenue at home - think San Jose, Boston, Columbus, Minny - and send them to Europe where they'll play in smaller buildings and therefore pull less revenue? Presumably each team is playing one "home" and one "away" game, no? Surprised they're not sending Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Florida and those kinds of squads.

The Washington Redskins are interviewing Bill Romanowski for the strength coach job. What, Ben Johnson wasn't available? Hiring a guy to work in an area when he was previously suspended for steroid usage seems so very Redskin. It is times like this I miss Michael Jackson, as I always loved referencing him. For example: interviewing Romo to be your team's strength coach would be like hiring Michael Jackson to coach your kids T-ball team.

Listening to Eli Manning and others talk on The Michael Kay Show of how Peyton's Indianapolis Colts would be 6-10 if not for Peyton is absolutely laughable. He's fantastic, the best even, but that's an insult to logic to say he carried the team to 14-2 or 8 wins better on his own.

Next stop on the A-Rod Man Whore tour is Cameron Diaz. Bring a paper bag, A-Rod, she's not what she once was when she debuted in Mask.

Check out the 20 hottest female athlete photo shoots here, with plenty of jumping off points to more pics. Great stuff, especially Gina Carano, Maria Kirlineko and a couple of the usual suspects.

A bunch of Minnesota Vikings fans have pulled together some coin to buy a billboard to woo OHB to return. Pretty clever, except he would probably need someone to read it for him.

Worried about the spread of H1N1 - remember when that was big? - the Cleveland Cavaliers removed water fountains at their arena and replaced them with signs that fans could line up for a courtesy cup of water or pay for a $4 bottle. Love the Cavs spokesman claiming that the idea of increased sales never crossed the organization's minds.

In case you missed Kansas' Brady Morningstar's free throw attempt of a couple nights back, here it is in all its glory. Awesome work, BM.

9/02/10

For those keeping score at home, Peyton Manning is 9-9 in his career for the playoffs, and also went Lebron James in not shaking hands with the champions. Stay classy, Peyton. I'm sure he'll get a pass though, being who he is. But when Bill Belichick didn't stick around when his New England Patriots lost, he was killed for weeks over it.

Bob Gainey has resigned as GM of the Montreal Canadiens. Must not have wanted to trade another goalie. Michael Farber at SI.com takes a look at Gainey's struggles over his 5+ years as GM in Montreal. Chris Stevenson at the Toronto Sun looks at new Habs GM Pierre Gauthier.

Nigel Reed of CBC makes a 5-point argument for why Toronto FC will make the playoffs this year. I've still got one point why they may not: Nick Garcia is still with the club.

In other MLS news, the Thierry Henry to New York Red Bull talk is firing up again, aided no doubt by NYRB's being in Europe for pre-season training and games. That'd be a hell of a get for the Red Bulls.

Brooklyn Decker, aka "Mrs. Andy Roddick", is the 2010 SI Swimsuit Issue cover girl. Damn you, A-Rodd.

Another week of EPL action starts today with all the teams in action over the next couple days. Arsenal host Liverpool tomorrow in the featured match of the week, alongside Manchester United at Aston Villa. For Arsenal, they'll have played United, Chelsea and Liverpool in a ten day span. Did they piss off the schedule maker in the past?

Good of that stiff Vesa Toskala to talk of how he couldn't wait to get the blue and white off his goalie mask now that he's no longer a Toronto Maple Leaf. Am quite sure that the Leafs would love to have that colour off his gear too, that's why they traded the clown. That, and because his gear didn't have nearly enough black markings on it. He's also the same guy who thinks he is #1 goalie material in Anaheim but a week after arriving. He must not have noticed that Jonas Hiller is not only there, but light year's ahead of that plank.

After cracking on Wince Carter's 28% shooting January, he's now finding his stroke. Carturd drained 48 points last night in the Orlando Magic's come from behind 123-117 win over the New Orleans Saints.

If you're wondering who your fav NFL team has on the schedule next season, check it out here. Not happy to hear the Dallas Cowboys, who will try to be the first team to host the Super Bowl and participate in it, have the league's toughest schedule.

Check out this New Orleans Saints playoff run: beat Arizona, retired Kurt Warner. Beat Minnesota, (possibly/hopefully) retired OHB, and beat the allegedly invincible Indianapolis Colts and brought back "The Manning Face". Tracy Porter not only had the pick six on Manning on Sunday, but it was also him who picked off OHB's ill advised throw as the fourth quarter ended in the Conference finals. Not bad.

Have a great Tuesday.