Like it or not, Belleville Bulls defenceman SHAWN LALONDE, who begins the professional phase of his hockey career this weekend with the ROCKFORD ICE HOGS of the AHL, will be forever linked to an ill-conceived one-game standoff with GM-coach GEORGE BURNETT. When differences with Burnett boiled to the surface during the 2008-2009 season, Lalonde staged a one-game walkout right before a key intra-conference contest with Brampton. (Bulls won without him.)
To his credit, Lalonde immediately realized the error of his way, took full responsibility and went on to apologize to Burnett, his teammates and Bulls fans.
This season, Lalonde — rightly or wrongly — took heat from some critics for not waiving his no-trade clause and allowing the Bulls to deal him during a rebuilding season. Though it would have been an unselfish and team-first act, Lalonde cannot be faulted for wanting to take control of his own destiny.
We maybe didn’t always see the best of Lalonde this season but he leaves as the all-time goal-scoring leader for Bulls defencemen (47) and wins points in this corner for never ducking an interview and always returning phone messages.
I might not have agreed with everything Lalonde did during his time here, but he was always willing to discuss it.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Now what?
Clean the garage. Repair the lawnmower. Get to that leak in the basement.
Now, Belleville Bulls fans and supporters can get to all of those chores that usually don't get attention until May.
The Bulls are done.
After an unprecedented 3 straight trips to the conference finals, the Bulls are out of the playoffs for only the third time in the 29-year history of the franchise.
GM-coach George Burnett stuck to his guns from Day 1 this season, going with the kids and looking ahead to better days. Still, making the playoffs was a very realistic goal and 19 one-goal losses came back to haunt this team in the end.
Better days are definitely ahead.
Now, Belleville Bulls fans and supporters can get to all of those chores that usually don't get attention until May.
The Bulls are done.
After an unprecedented 3 straight trips to the conference finals, the Bulls are out of the playoffs for only the third time in the 29-year history of the franchise.
GM-coach George Burnett stuck to his guns from Day 1 this season, going with the kids and looking ahead to better days. Still, making the playoffs was a very realistic goal and 19 one-goal losses came back to haunt this team in the end.
Better days are definitely ahead.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
NHL still doesn't get it
I've said before and I'll say it agan. OHL commish Dave Branch should be the prez of the NHL.
Recent head shots by Stirling native Matt Cooke of the Pens and Ottawa Sens goon Chris Neil, with neither drawing a penalty, prove once again the NHL just doesn't get it.
In the OHL, head shots draw a penalty and often a suspension.
And puh-lease, do me a favour and save me the stupid argument about the supposed "gray area" between the elbow and shoulder when a hit is being delivered. The proponents of that debate only demonstrate their lack of gray ... as in, gray matter.
Apologists also say these things often occur in the heat of the action.
Baloney.
When you deliver a hit, you know exactly how you're doing it. These cases aren't retaliatory.
Quite simply, in the NHL, a hit to the head should draw a double minor and be reviewed immediately after the game.
Hard hits? Big time bodychecks?
Love em.
Head shots? Cowardly. Premeditated. Meant to injure no matter what anybody tells you.
Recent head shots by Stirling native Matt Cooke of the Pens and Ottawa Sens goon Chris Neil, with neither drawing a penalty, prove once again the NHL just doesn't get it.
In the OHL, head shots draw a penalty and often a suspension.
And puh-lease, do me a favour and save me the stupid argument about the supposed "gray area" between the elbow and shoulder when a hit is being delivered. The proponents of that debate only demonstrate their lack of gray ... as in, gray matter.
Apologists also say these things often occur in the heat of the action.
Baloney.
When you deliver a hit, you know exactly how you're doing it. These cases aren't retaliatory.
Quite simply, in the NHL, a hit to the head should draw a double minor and be reviewed immediately after the game.
Hard hits? Big time bodychecks?
Love em.
Head shots? Cowardly. Premeditated. Meant to injure no matter what anybody tells you.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Bulls hang in 'til the bitter end
Same old story. Another one-goal loss for the Belleville Bulls Thursday night in Barrie.
Still, as Jack Miller said on the radio "a moral victory."
Indeed, although they don't count in the standings.
Bulls hung with the best team in the conference for 56 minutes and that's not bad for a rebuilding squad.
Next year, these are the kinds of games Belleville will be expected to win.
On to Sudbury.
Still, as Jack Miller said on the radio "a moral victory."
Indeed, although they don't count in the standings.
Bulls hung with the best team in the conference for 56 minutes and that's not bad for a rebuilding squad.
Next year, these are the kinds of games Belleville will be expected to win.
On to Sudbury.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Cameron guns for 50
Former Bull Bryan Cameron hasn't scored in two games which is bad news for his former club which visits the Molson Centre tonight. Cameron has 49 goals and, it says here, will probably bag No. 50 tonight against his old team and old coach, George Burnett.
Way to go, Cams, although Miller and I kept saying you'd score 50 in a season HERE, not in freakin' Barrie.
Way to go, Cams, although Miller and I kept saying you'd score 50 in a season HERE, not in freakin' Barrie.
Sabres, Caps, Coyotes make smart moves
Although it's difficult to disagree with media wags dubbing yesterday's NHL trade deadline -- dudline -- I think a couple of clubs did very well.
Sabres adding Raffi Torres was a smart move while Capitals got some grit in Scott Walker that will help in the room and down the stretch to the playoffs. Coyotes grabbing Wojtek Wolski was also a good move for a club that could be playing elsewhere in the future.
Leafs?
Unloaded some contracts, that's about it, although I think Luca Caputi (remember him in the OHL?) could help sooner than later.
Looks like Burke is pretty much committed to blowing up the team and starting from scratch.
(When does the cycle end?)
Last Stanley Cup, 1967. Next one? Not in sight.
Sabres adding Raffi Torres was a smart move while Capitals got some grit in Scott Walker that will help in the room and down the stretch to the playoffs. Coyotes grabbing Wojtek Wolski was also a good move for a club that could be playing elsewhere in the future.
Leafs?
Unloaded some contracts, that's about it, although I think Luca Caputi (remember him in the OHL?) could help sooner than later.
Looks like Burke is pretty much committed to blowing up the team and starting from scratch.
(When does the cycle end?)
Last Stanley Cup, 1967. Next one? Not in sight.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Kid is great
For me, the argument is over. Sid The Kid -- Sidney Crosby -- is the best young hockey player in the NHL.
I used to argue in favour of Alex Ovechkin. No more.
Great players make great plays at great moments. Crosby, who otherwise played a rather pedestrian game for Canada in yesterday's Olympic gold medal final from Vancouver against the U.S., made the right play at the right time to deliver the goods.
That is greatness.
Ovechkin? Puh-lease. He stunk the joint out in Russia's lopsided loss to Canada in the quarters.
And my apologies to Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. The two old goats were the best D-men on the ice Sunday despite looking hopelessly slow and inept and ready for the retirement lodge in Canada's first meeting with the U.S.
Sorry, guys.
Best players on the ice Sunday? Jonathan Toews and Rick Nash.
And, yes, we rule.
I used to argue in favour of Alex Ovechkin. No more.
Great players make great plays at great moments. Crosby, who otherwise played a rather pedestrian game for Canada in yesterday's Olympic gold medal final from Vancouver against the U.S., made the right play at the right time to deliver the goods.
That is greatness.
Ovechkin? Puh-lease. He stunk the joint out in Russia's lopsided loss to Canada in the quarters.
And my apologies to Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. The two old goats were the best D-men on the ice Sunday despite looking hopelessly slow and inept and ready for the retirement lodge in Canada's first meeting with the U.S.
Sorry, guys.
Best players on the ice Sunday? Jonathan Toews and Rick Nash.
And, yes, we rule.
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