I’m not sure how to feel about the Tampa Bay Lightning’s re-emergence in this year’s playoffs, as they are on the verge of defeating the Washington Capitals in four straight games.
Game four was after press time, but the Bolts had a commanding 3-0 series lead and home ice advantage.
They have been the better team by far during the first three games and deserve to win. Dwayne Roloson, 41, looks like he’s 31 – minus his hair in the post-game interview following game seven against Pittsburgh – and Vincent Lecavalier has returned to elite form after his seven-year vacation.
What’s that? He’s actually been playing since 2004? I don’t believe you.
Tampa is about to send six of my pool players – and potentially my best chance to win the office dollars – to the golf course. Maybe it was my fault for thinking this was Washington’s year. Maybe it was my fault for banking too much on one team (although I still have five Boston players and five San Jose players looking solid).
Maybe I should have shown more faith in the Vancouver Canucks. Um, nope, not a chance. That can’t be it. And if you’re wondering about our water cooler, it is still broken.
But maybe I also should have looked at the Tampa Bay Lightning a little closer and selected more of its players for the pool.
As it stands, I’ll I’ve got is Roloson. Steven Stamkos is playing well, as is Martin St. Louis and the rejuvanated Lecavalier, who I’m still not convinced has actually been playing in the NHL for the past seven seasons.
Tampa has a solid mix of veterans, exuberant youth, gritty forwards and clutch goaltending needed to win the Cup. If they go on to beat the Capitals, which at this moment, seems invitable, the team will have to be considered a legitimate favourite to be the last one standing in June.
History is on Tampa’s side, as only three teams in NHL history have ever come back from an 0-3 series deficit. The Lightning would then have to beat either the Boston Bruins or the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference finals, which would both be really tough matchups.
The other main reason I’m now cheering for the Lightning (as well as Boston, reluctanctly, and still San Jose) is that the farther Tampa goes, the farther Airdrie’s Dana Tyrell goes (see story above). If Tampa can re-create its magical 2004 Stanley Cup run (sorry Flames fans for bringing that up again), the trophy will likely visit this city at some point in the summer.
Jockey Calvin Borel will go for his third straight Kentucky Derby crown, and fourth in the past five years, when “the fastest two minutes in sports” hits the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, May 7.
The half-hour before the race, and the approximately 120 seconds it takes to run it (and this section in the column, I suppose), are about the only time during the sports calendar that I actually watch, pay attention to, or even give any consideration to horse racing.
In my opinion, it’s an old-fashioned, aristocratic “sport” that doesn’t have much of a place in the modern athletic canon. Regardless, I’ll still be watching and cheering for some horse dubbed as the longshot during the pre-race show.
And with no clear favourite this year, it’s anyone’s race. Well, not really. Borel will win. I’m picking whatever horse he will be riding.
Casual viewers will also be drawn in for celebrity sightings and the annual hat parade. From past race views, the guests at the royal wedding have nothing on these ladies and their hats, which in some cases travel seperately due to airline size restrictions. Check it out.
