Number Ten: Cottages don't have internet, Sundin

First of all, I'd like to say that the published date is wrong, this entry was published August 3rd. As you can guess, I wasn't thinking when I wrote article #9. You see, 2 days later, I would be going to the cottage we have on a lake in Alberta. This cottage did not have internet, so i couldn't post any blog entries. Fortunately I'm back now, and I'm going to San Fransisco tomorrow which DOES have internet, so prepare for more blogs. Here is a rant I have about what has happened this summer. It is about Mats Sundin. He is still thinking about his future, even though the Canucks offered him a HUGE contract of $20,000,000 over two years. That's 10 million a year. That would be the biggest contract ever signed in the history of the NHL. How do you pass up 10 million dollars a year, even if you want to retire or play for a contender? So, the QOTD is: Should Sundin sign with the Canucks, sign with a contender, or retire? Thanks for reading and answering the QOTD. Five blogs a week starts now.

Number Nine: I'm back, woo hoo!

Well, exams are over, and I've started relaxing for summer, but even better: McSports Blog is back! Even better still, I've decided to write 5 blogs a month. Also, I'm looking for more comments, so to do this, I've created a new thing: Question of the day. Today's QOTD: Is 5 blogs a month too much, too little, or just right?
Lucas McSports

Number Eight: Luc Bourdon

An intense competitor. A good human being. A skilled hockey player. A first round pick of the Canucks. A good friend. The hockey world is grieving over the loss of hot prospect Luc Bourdon who died on Thursday, May 28th. Bourdon was a promising young defenceman who played his junior hockey with the Moncton Wildcats, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Val d'Or Foreurs of the QMJHL. He split his first pro season in 2007-08 between Vancouver and the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose. He scored two goals and had a plus 7 rating in 27 games with the Canucks last season. He was hit by a truck after losing control of his motorcycle and crossing over to the wrong side of the road where the traffic was going the other way. A truck came straight at Luc, and ended the blueliners life at a far too young age of 21. This is a tragic loss for the hockey world. His best friend Kris Letang missed Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final after hearing the news. He said there were more important things to think about than hockey at a time like this.

Number Seven: The Roger Clemons Steroid Scandal

I'm doing two blogs today because I'm a little behind schedule after not doing a blog for two weeks. I heard on Sports Illustrated today that, finally, there is a REAL witness and REAL evidence in the Roger Clemons case. For those of you that don't know what happened, I will tell you. Clemons was one of the best pitchers ever to pitch in the MLB, and he was a shoe in for the Hall of Fame. But it was found out about 6 months ago that he was receiving steroids and HGH to improve his play. Although the evidence was great, he denied ever using the steroids, saying things like "It was for an injury" or "I didn't use them, my wife did". That's real low, blaming his wife for using steroids. Instead of a sport related question at the end, I have a question that will challenge you in many ways. If you could be a world famous Hall of Famer for [insert job name here], would you blame your husband/wife for using steroids that you clearly used? But back to the story... there is finally a decisive witness that claims he injected Roger with steroids and HGH. If this is true, this will finally be the end of a loooooong court case.

Number Six: The Dallas/Detroit Brawl

After the final whistle on Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena, and another Detroit home win, (which isn't hard to predict anymore because they've won every playoff game this year at home) a fight started behind the net. The annoyed Dallas team had just gone down 2-0 in the series, and they needed something to happen late in the game to spark their confidence. Mike Ribeiro, a Dallas Star, decided to take matters into his own hands. He slashed Detroit's starting goalie, Osgood, across the chest pad. Now, this may not hurt much because he hit him right in the protector, but still that kind of action is not acceptable as it could have seriouly hurt Osgood. For some reason though, the league did not suspend Ribeiro. After the slash, Osgood definatly dived, but should that really excuse Ribeiro of his slash? Even worse, both players recieved fines. The NHL fined Chris Osgood for diving after getting slashed by Ribeiro, and both fines were for the same amount of money. Wow. What do you guys think?

Number Five: Celtics

The Boston Celtics finished with the best record in the NBA this season. But when they played the eighth ranked Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs, it took them a full series, 7 games, to dispose of them. It's hard to say if this is a sign of weakness or strength. It showed that they struggle against bad teams but at the same time, it showed that they could win a very intense elimination game, like game 7. So is this a mentally tough juggernaut or a lame poser team that barely got out of the first round? I'd like to hear what you think, so please respond to this blog. I personally think this is still a great team that has many players on it who have never made the playoffs, let alone win a playoff series. They are just working out the kinks. They will win the Eastern Conference and they could possibly win the championship.

Number Four: What do you need to win in the NHL playoffs?

A good goalie? An agitator? A proven scorer? Veterans with experience? All of the above? What about a steady defencemen? A gritty attitude? Divers like Crosby? A team that doesn't take penalties? A great powerplay? The answer to all of these is YES! I will take an example of each from playoff teams. When I think of a good goalie, I think of a consistent goalie. In my mind, the most consistent NHL goalie is Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars. He only lets in about one or two goals a game and he makes key saves when he has to. There is no use having a good goalie if he is not consistently good. An agitator that I think jumps to everyone's mind in the NHL is Sean Avery of the Rangers. Not only is he a solid offensive and defensive player, he is also great at annoying the other team and drawing penalties. A proven scorer is crucial to winning offensive shootouts. Guys like Danny Briere of the Flyers, who has 7 goals to lead the playoffs, are reliable scorers who give their team a chance to win every game. Veterans who know what it takes to win are great for helping the team know what to do and teaching the younger players. A guy like Joe Sakic of the Avalanche is a great example, as he has won the cup twice and he knows what it takes to win. Steady defencemen who rarely make mistakes are also important to have. Brian Campbell of the San Jose Sharks is a good defender, and he can also score. A gritty, physical attitude like the one the Flyers have is important for intimidating opponents and forcing big turnovers that can result in goals. A good special teams is important, and it can dictate the winner of a series. you have to score on powerplays and kill penalties if you want to win the cup. Lastly, people who can draw penalties, such as Sidney Crosby of the Penguins, are vital to a team because you can't score a powerplay goal if you don't get any powerplays in the first place.