Toronto Mike

Hockey Canada

Total 137 Posts

IIHF Idiocity

During the round robin of this year's Olympic games in Turin, our Canadian women beat host Italy 16-0, Russia 12-0 and Sweden 8-1.  We then took out Finland 6-0 in the semi-final.  That's a cumulative score of 42-1 which drew a great deal of criticism from Don Cherry and others.
Continue Reading

Swiss Cheesin' Me

After one period, we're actually losing to Switzerland.  Former St. John's Maple Leaf Paul di Pietro, who I just assumed was as Canadian as maple syrup and bagged milk, scored on Martin Brodeur while Martin Gerber has been stoning us at the other end. I'm not sounding any alarm bells
Continue Reading

Canada 5, Germany 1

I sure wish I could watch these games.  Canada is 2-0 with two decisive wins and I've been unable to watch or listen to a second of live action. Five different players scored for Canada as we outshot Germany 40-12.  Tomorrow is a day off before returning on Saturday to
Continue Reading

Canada 7, Italy 2

The Italian hockey team should be proud.  They made a game of it for over a period, even tying the game early in the second period before the World's greatest hockey team took over.  Jarome Iginla led the way with two goals as we outshot Italy 50-20. Of course, it's
Continue Reading

The Big D, Dion Phaneuf

Team Canada's blue line has injury issues.  Ed Jovanovski is a no-go and Scott Niedermayer may have to withdraw as well.  When the team was announced back in December, I proposed adding another defenseman outright.  I wanted Dion Phaneuf in Turin. I hope The Great One realizes the time is
Continue Reading

Canada 5, Russia 0

I have seen the future of Toronto Maple Leafs hockey, and his name is Justin Pogge.  Pogge posted a .952 save percentage for the tournament, his 1.00 goals-against average ties him for best in tournament history and Canada's six goals against set a record.  He recorded three shutouts and
Continue Reading

Canada 4, Finland 0

For the fifth straight year, Canada has advanced to the finals at the world junior hockey championship.  Once again, our foe is Russia who we face Thursday at 19:00 EST for gold. This year's squad plays a typically hard defensive game and relies on Leaf prospect Justin Pogge between
Continue Reading

Canada 3, United States 2

We've once again earned a bye to the semifinal game Tuesday night by finishing first in Group A.  A big win over the USA was sealed when captain Kyle Chipchura scored an empty-net winner with 33 seconds remaining.  Our junior team has won its last ten games. I've witnessed nothing
Continue Reading

Canada 4, Norway 0

I didn't watch a lot of this game because the Leafs game was far more exciting.  What I did see in the first period was disappointing.  I suppose it's unfair to compare this team with last year's team which may just be the finest junior squad we've ever assembled.  Dion
Continue Reading

Canada 4, Switzerland 3

That was close!  Penalty after penalty made it a game of special teams.  I must say, we didn't look very good and not nearly as polished as last year's squad.  We're supposed to handle these teams with ease.  Canada is 16-0 all-time versus the Swiss in the world junior tournament.
Continue Reading

Canada 5, Finland 1

It was a battle of Maple Leaf goaltenders as our first round pick this year, Tuuka Rask, faced our first pick from 2004, Justin Pogge.  I wanted Justin Pogge to get the shutout, but I didn't want Rask pummelled.  In the end neither happened and I was happy. Dustin Boyd
Continue Reading

Our Team

Here is the team that will represent us in Turin and my thoughts about each selection.  The three preceded with a * are alternates. Goaltenders Brodeur, Martin - No brainer.  He's the man.Luongo, Roberto - I don't have a problem with this pick.  I can't think of a clearly better
Continue Reading

81 Hopefuls

Earlier today I wrote about Bryan McCabe being one of 60 players on Team Canada's preliminary roster for the Olympic hockey tournament next February in Turin, Italy.  In fact, The Great One has announced a list of 81 hopefuls which includes five Leafs: McCabe, Ed Belfour, Jason Allison, Jeff O'Neill
Continue Reading

Canada 0, Czech Republic 3

Ah crap.  The Czech Republic played us perfectly, smothering our top forwards and allowing few decent scoring opportunities.  Despite finishing second, Canada retained its number one status in IIHF world rankings.  That's a lone brightspot on an otherwise dismal day.
Continue Reading

Canada 4, Russia 3

Lord have mercy.  I'm not as young as I used to be and my heart can't take that kind of a nail-biting finish.  Up 4-0, we should have been home free but instead we let Russia steal the momentum and almost steal the game. We were very luck to hang
Continue Reading

Canada 5, Slovakia 4

Joe Thornton scored with 4:22 remaining to give Canada a 5-4 victory over Slovakia in their quarter-final game earlier today, slapping a shot from the circle to the right of goaltender Jan Lasak that sent the puck sailing into the far top corner of the net for his sixth
Continue Reading

Uh-Oh

When Rick Nash has to score a third period goal to give you a 2-1 lead over the Ukraine, you know you're in trouble.  Methinks this team isn't as good as I think it is. If we barely get by the Ukraine, and there's ten minutes left to play so
Continue Reading

Canada 3, Finland 3

Rick Nash and Patrick Marleau scored 51 seconds apart in the third period to lead Canada to a 3-3 comeback tie with Finland at the IIHF world hockey championship.  It wasn't supposed to be this way.  We're supposed to beat Finland who is without Saku Koivu, Tuomo Ruutu, Jere Lehtinen,
Continue Reading

Canada 4, Sweden 5

Perhaps I jinxed us when bragging about the streak the other day.  We went 6-0 at the World Cup last September and 6-0 at the World Junior Championship in January.  Unfortunately, we won't be running the gamut at this year's world championship. Up 2-0 in the first, I was ready
Continue Reading