The Brian Burke Era has begun in Toronto and the team proved Wednesday that they can fit the build of a Burke-run team. Although the Leafs lost 3-2 to the Boston Bruins, the tough guys and young guns certainly proved they can fit onto the roster. The game featured highlight goals, hard hits, good puck movement and a lot of fights. I know it's early and pre-season games don't mean squat but I was impressed with the style of hockey that was played on Wednesday. Rookies Viktor Stalberg and Tyler Bozak scored for Toronto. Fellow rookies Christian Hanson and 2009 first round pick Nazeem Kadri also looked good in game action. All four players are looking to make the big squad and Leafs coach Ron Wilson has stressed all summer long that the young guys will really have to out-perform others in the pre-season to find their names on the roster come opening night. Tough guys Andre Deveaux, Jay Rosehill and Phil Oreskovic all dropped the gloves against Bruins players, Oreskovic fighting twice. The Leafs players took three of the four scraps decisively. The blood-thirsty crowd rose to their feet after each fight. Anyone who says fighting doesn't belong in the game of hockey is mistaken. Other than goal-tender, Vesa Toskala letting in some soft goals, the Leafs looked good in their first test of the pre-season. Keep it locked for more Leafs news and rumours all season long!
If you haven't heard the story yet, Buffalo Bills CB Leodis McKelvin's property was vandalized on Monday night after the Bills heart-breaking loss to the Patriots. Some crazed fan spray-painted obscenities and the score of the football game on McKelvin's lawn. McKelvin was partially blamed for the loss after his fumble set up the Patriots' winning drive. The Bills corner back announced Wednesday that he will forgive the vandals and will not be pressing charges or seeking restitution for his damaged yard. It saddens me when I hear stories about fans who cross boundaries and decide to interfere with the personal lives of athletes because of something that happened in a game. When I go to a game, I can be vocal, I can chirp the opposition and sometimes I get a little rowdy but I know it's a game and I know when I leave the stadium that it ends there. It boggles my mind why some fans think they have the right to challenge players off the field. These type of incidents are unnecessary and should be avoided.
I reported earlier in the week that G Nate Robinson plans to re-sign with the New York Knicks. Well recently, there have been reports that the Knicks were working a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz that would send PF David Lee to Utah for PF Carlos Boozer. It looks as though those rumours were false and that both Robinson and Lee will re-sign with the Knicks before the NBA season begins. GM Donnie Walsh is expected to try to sign both players to one-year deals to leave salary cap flexibility for the 2010 off-season when the likes of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh become free agents.
Some non-sports stuff...
Today I listened to a clip of US President Barack Obama talking to the media before a news conference, discussing the Taylor Swift-Kanye West incident that went down at the MTV Awards over the weekend. If you haven't heard it yet, you should check it out. It is quite entertaining. "The young lady seems like a perfectly nice person. She's getting her award. What's he doing up there?", the President said. A reporter then asked why Kanye would do such a thing and Obama replied, "He's a Jackass". If you haven't heard the clip, I've posted it in the Featured Videos section. Check it out!
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