When Ron MacLean spoke the other night on Hockey Night in Canada and tried to, albeit somewhat awkwardly, compare the efforts of hard-working hockey players at playoff time with those of the courageous responders during 9-11, it brought a predictably negative response.The long-time host was trying to say something very positive about the players while also paying homage to the real heroes of that tragic day more than a decade ago. Upon reflection, he may have chosen his words a bit differently, but his heart was no doubt in the right place.That said, I think a lot of us have struggled for a long time with how we think about sports and sports figures, and this notion of athletes as not only "heroes" but "warriors". It’s a difficult thing. People often want, perhaps even need what we perceive as heroes- maybe as a kind of psychological pick-me-up. It might be that we are struggling with something in our own lives. Perhaps the human heart just needs to hear, see and touch nice, uplifting stories every once in a while. And that’s OK.
Leafs/Marlies Links
Marlies Carrying Leafs Flag Deep Into Playoffs
I think they're carrying the Marlies flag but whatever.
Spoiler Alert: Marlies won.
Jeffler at Marlies HQ give you the rundown.
Sorry Zona. The Leafs aren't taking a dman.
Other Links
Remember LA Gear and Gretzky Street Hockey Shoes?
The guys at Backhand Shelf do. Radical!
Hockey's All-Time Best Toothless Smiles
That's a lot of dental work to be done.
Ovechkin Disappears in the Playoffs
Wait what's that? He's 5th all-time in playoff goals per game. Oh.
Hey Mike Brophy, you might want to read Mirtle's piece.
NHLNumbers Podcast - Relaunch Episode 1
Give it a listen.
Are the 2012 Kings the Best 8-Seed Ever?
No, I'd have to go with the 2006 Oilers here.
