Standing O

• I’d like to take a moment to personally thank the San Jose Sharks for knocking out the Vancouver Canucks from the Stanley Cup playoffs in one smooth sweep.  The Bruins might have beaten the Canucks for the Cup in 2011, but I’m still bitter and I’m not ashamed of it. The Canucks are a team I’ll just never like, and the Sharks got the short end of the stick in 2011 when they lost to Vancouver on an incredibly flukey goal from Kevin Bieksa. If you don’t remember it, it’s worth a quick Google search. The puck literally came out of nowhere. So, it’s nice to see San Jose come out on top and knock out one of the league’s most disliked teams, or at least one of the teams most disliked by me.
• Shout out to the Chicago Blackhawks fan who went into labor during Game 5…and stayed at the arena to watch the conclusion of the game. Donna Lebano’s son came a month early, and even though she started having contractions during the second period while at the game with her three sisters, she stayed to see the 5-1 Chicago final. A few hours later she gave birth to Owen Michael, who I think it’s safe to say will be a pretty big Blackhawks fan.

Heck No

• Alright Bruins, you know I love you, but this has got to stop. Remember that 3-1 series lead? What happened? The B’s are headed back to Boston for Game 7 Monday night, and as of Monday morning they were still stuck in Toronto due to some plane trouble while the Maple Leafs slept soundly in their Boston hotel rooms. I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight, and I certainly don’t feel too good about it given the way the Bruins have played as of late, having lost their last two. But win or lose tonight, the players on this team better show up and take some accountability. Looking at you, Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand. You’re in a slump, I get it. These two guys haven’t been producing, and I understand that happens, but toughen up and face the media after a game. Hiding and making yourself unavailable only deepens the media’s and fan base’s doubts, and that’s the last thing anyone needs going into a Game 7 situation.
• Sergio Garcia caught a case of the “woe is me” syndrome during the Players Championship this weekend and wanted everyone to know about it. While playing a hole with Tiger Woods, Garcia was playing a ball behind where Woods had hit his. Obviously Woods comes with quite the caravan of fans, and apparently while Garcia was swinging to take his shot, Woods chose which club he’d use to get his ball out of the trees. Fans were anxious to see whether Woods would play it safe or take a risk on that particular shot, so when he made his club decision there was an audible reaction, which in turn affected Garcia’s shot.  The two golfers aren’t known to be the best of friends, and while I still love his golf game, Woods certainly isn’t my favorite guy on the PGA Tour. But Garcia caught my attention for all the wrong reasons when he made the argument that Woods should have known his club selection would warrant a reaction that might distract Garcia and should have been more careful. Honestly, I think the crowd is to blame here and that accusing Woods of any harmful intent on this one is a huge stretch. Save the whining, Sergio. For what it’s worth, Tiger won Sunday while Garcia finished tied for eighth.

Brad MarchandChicago BlackhawksKevin BieksaSergio GarciaTiger WoodsTyler SeguinVancouver Canucks