The Sports Thread

Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by Gigi_GNR, Dec 9, 2009.

  1. Korizan

    Korizan Member

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    when ever FIFA is on, if Russia makes it, thats my number one team to cheer. But if not. Germany all the way.
     
  2. Agreen

    Agreen Faceless Man Contributor

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    The real Leafs have emerged the past two games, and tomorrow they get to play the Blackhawks in Chicago. It appears I overestimated them when I predicted their collapse would happen in February. At least if they get it out of the way now they can pick up some assets at the deadline, especially as they have little chance of bringing back some of their upcoming free agents. A first round pick for Franson would be nice. Which is to say, they will trade him for a fourth line 'face off specialist.'

    In happy news, after tomorrow I'll only have to endure three more hours of Raiders football until my favourite part of the Raiders season- the off-season.

    Edit: At least for the Raiders, it was another glorious triumph, officially booting Buffalo from the playoffs. Especially sweet because as a resident of the GTA I get subjected to Bills coverage every week.

    The Leafs are already losing 2-0 and look worse than normal, which is worrying because 'normal' for the Leafs is actually 'terrible.'
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2014
  3. Gigi_GNR

    Gigi_GNR Guys, come on. WAFFLE-O. Contributor

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    This last game will decide playoff seeding and the division winner, and I'm excited.
     
  4. Agreen

    Agreen Faceless Man Contributor

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    The AFC worked out as well as it could have- the Chefs knocked off the Chargers, and in turn were eliminated when Baltimore won. We now begin my favourite part of the Raiders season, the one in which they no longer play football.
     
    Phil Partington likes this.
  5. Gigi_GNR

    Gigi_GNR Guys, come on. WAFFLE-O. Contributor

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    I'm excited for this divisional round. Cowboys at Lambeau.
     
  6. Agreen

    Agreen Faceless Man Contributor

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    I feel bad for Detroit though. The blown call(s) (NFL head of Officiating Dean Blandino identified a clear blown call for Defensive Holding, a borderline Defensive Pass Interference and a probable Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty on the play and during its aftermath) were tough. Caldwell's conservative play calls, for example not going for it on 4th-1 right after The Picked Up Flag, were the biggest reason the Lions lost, but the Lions are one of those teams that can't ever seem to catch a break. At the end of the day though, the ball was in their hands with over two minutes left, and they weren't able to perform.

    In much happier news, in spite of horrific goaltending, Canada are once again World Junior Hockey Champions! This was an especially impressive group, goaltending aside, and I think we'll be seeing some of them in 7 years winning gold at the Olympics. This also marked the first time (and probably the last time, unless Toronto hosts another international hockey tournament) a home team has won a major hockey championship at the Air Canada Centre!
     
  7. MainerMikeBrown

    MainerMikeBrown Senior Member

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    I'm glad I'm not going to the Patriots/Ravens game at Foxboro this weekend because it's going to be so cold, according to the weather people.

    If the Ravens win, it would be odd for the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs (the Ravens) to knock of the number one seed in the AFC (the Patriots), although that has happened before in the NFL over the years.
     
  8. Agreen

    Agreen Faceless Man Contributor

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    So the Leafs just finished the worst 20 game span in franchise history, are 5th last, and will require years of rebuilding before they contend again. Still, it's a wonderful day to be a Leafs fan. Why? David 'worst contract in the NHL, worst player in Leafs history, worst (no qualifiers needed)' Clarkson is gone!

    This is such a miraculous stroke of luck, I almost believe good things can happen to the Leafs. May... maybe they can get Connor McDavid, and maybe one day they won't be bad? In a world where Clarkson is gone, anything is possible!
     
    minstrel likes this.
  9. Agreen

    Agreen Faceless Man Contributor

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    Toronto just hired Mike Babcock, head coach of the Canadian Olympic team. He is generally considered to be one of the best coaches in the game. How will they ruin this?

    Also, while it's obviously not on the same level as last year's amazing class, I think the Raiders had another strong draft this year. Cooper to Carr is going to be nice.

    It goes without saying that Carr might miss the rest of offseason workouts due to injury.
     
  10. BrianIff

    BrianIff I'm so piano, a bad punctuator. Contributor

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    Ha! "How will they ruin this?" Pressure's on for a new record.
     
  11. Agreen

    Agreen Faceless Man Contributor

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    My biggest concern is, like when they first hired Brian Burke, the MLSE board will pressure Babcock and Shanahan to compete now. In reality this team is still years away from being competitive. Babcock's value is more in player evaluation and development than in-game tactics for now, because the Leafs aren't getting anywhere near the playoffs next season. I know my team, they could ruin a trade of Kessel for Crosby and Phaneuf for McDavid.
     
  12. Gigi_GNR

    Gigi_GNR Guys, come on. WAFFLE-O. Contributor

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    I miss football so much it hurts.
     
  13. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

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    Why? The Packers aren't going to be as good as they were last year. :brb:
     
  14. Dante Dases

    Dante Dases Contributor Contributor

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    Great win in the first test match for England against New Zealand yesterday, especially as we had a bit first innings deficit to overcome. Really exciting last day, too, as we bowled the Kiwis out in less than 3 sessions. I'm looking forward to a good summer of cricket with the Ashes coming along this time.
     
  15. Agreen

    Agreen Faceless Man Contributor

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    The Oshawa Generals won the Memorial Cup, the championship of hockey's premiere junior league, the CHL :) Despite the hockey media never really paying them much attention, they dominated in the regular season and OHL playoffs. They went through the round robin portion of the tournament undefeated, a clear step above their competition. They didn't play their best game tonight, but goaltender Ken Appleby made himself an instant junior hockey legend and most popular man in the Eastern GTA by holding off an excellent (and much improved from their first game against the Generals) Kelowna Rockets team.

    The only disappointment was Appleby being robbed of the Memorial Cup MVP in favour of a player who failed to register a single point in two games against the Generals, especially disappointing because he was also robbed of the OHL playoffs MVP to a player from the opposing team. Still, Appleby won the trophy he wanted most, and probably did enough to earn a shot with an NHL team. Even if he doesn't make the big league, he'll always have a home in Oshawa.

    Of course, there was more to the victory than just Appleby. In twenty-five years of following the Generals, this team was easily the most likable, they played a true team game, overcoming individuals of greater talent through their commitment to each other, physicality, and work ethic. In some ways, even though players like Appleby, or Cole Cassels, Michael Dal Colle, captain Josh Brown, Dakota Mermis and about fifteen others deserve individual recognition, it's fitting they were snubbed of all major individual awards, even MVPs of tournaments they won- they played as a team, won as a team, and will be remembered as a championship team.
     
  16. Rhys

    Rhys Member

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    So who, if anyone, follows real football here? :p

    The season has only just finished and I'm already missing it.

    I hear it's becoming more popular in America, and most of you seem to be from the US, so just wondering if there are any other Premier League followers here?

    And if you support Swansea City by any chance, we're gonna get along fine. :D
     
  17. Dante Dases

    Dante Dases Contributor Contributor

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    Love watching Swansea play. Successive managers have gone great jobs. So much progress since the days of the Vetch Field, and it's been done without spending silly money a la Bournemouth. As a Huddersfield Town fan, there's a lot to admire about Swansea, particularly as we've spent so long punching below our weight, arsing around in the lower leagues and bottling it when big chances came along to get out before 2012. If we can find our philosophy and see it through, the blueprint is there to emulate.

    We've got potential in this side. The goalkeeper is very good and still young. The defence is the problem area but still has a couple of players who could play at a higher level. The midfield is summed up by one word that gets most Town fans drooling: Butterfield. And up front we have a Premier League striker in James Vaughan (for the 15 games a season he's fit) and Nahki Wells who has so much potential it's unreal. Others to keep an eye out for are Sean Scannell and Joe Lolley, who despite only having started 3 times since his move from Kidderminster 18 months back has still scored 4 goals and left defenders with twisted blood. His goal against Blackburn oozed class and underlined his exhilarating potential - he actually reminds me of Lionel Messi in how he goes at defences. Obviously not in that class, but still. Worth watching out for.
     
  18. Agreen

    Agreen Faceless Man Contributor

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    The Leafs followed up an intriguing, probably strong draft with what I think will be remembered as a historic blunder. Kessel, top-5 NHL goal scorer since coming to Toronto, traded for what will probably amount to a middle-6 winger and a pick swap. Between this, the Clarkson debacle and a great many free agent blunders the Leafs are making a proud tradition of ruining Canada Day :(

    Cheering for the Leafs sucks.
     
  19. 2domino

    2domino New Member

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    Besides my introduction, I am delighted to say that this will be my first interaction/comment with someone on a writing forum. I am a hardcore Swansea fan, it's amazing to see a fellow Jack online! Unfortunately the only games I see are on TV, as I live in California... What do you think of our signings thus far?
     
  20. cydney

    cydney Banned

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    This is what I'm up to this weekend- girls softball- refreshing & fun. Family time as well. :)
     
  21. cydney

    cydney Banned

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    We lost 3 games, won 1. :( But it was still fun. My iPhone died or I woulda checked on y'all! :)
     

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