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Kovalchuk a Devil…not so fast – NHL rejects Contract – Cornwall Ontario – July 21, 2010

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:57:21 +0000

Cornwall ON - Hockey nuts listened to the press conference yesterday announcing Ilya Kovalchuk signing with the NHL, but now Commissioner Gary Bettman has rejected the contract stating that it circumvented the rules. A few teams have been playing with contract lengths to get cap hits down and it looks like this case was the straw the broke the diminutive camel’s back.

As this signing has a domino effect the follow up moves by other teams are now in the air as the lawyers wrangle over this one.

What do you think Hockey fans? You can post your comments below.

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New Jersey Devils Land their Man! Ilya Kovalchuk to sign record breaking contract Tuesday – Cornwall Ontario – July 19, 2010

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:03:45 +0000

Cornwall ON - The US may be in a Depression but Ilya Kovalchuk is counting his Benjamins as the 27 year old resigned with New Jersey in what may be one of the most lucrative contracts in NHL history.

LINK

“He signed here for a reason — to try to win a championship. This organization has a good history of that, so you know he wants to be part of the team. That’s what I’m excited about.”
– Devils’ head coach John MacLean

What do you think Hockey Fans? Good deal? Bad deal? You can post your comment below.

And of course now that Kovy is signed the dominoes should start to tumble. Expect to see some big ticket contracts being moved. Names like Lecavlier, Spezza, Gagne, and just about anyone making over $5M may be in play!

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ROGER SAUVÉ – Life Trends – Facts And Figures That Matter to You – I did it – The 720 KM Great Waterfront Trail Cycling Adventure

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:24:53 +0000

Cornwall ON - According to Statistics Canada, about half a million Canadians actively participate in cycling as a sport. I have now become one of them. Many more cycle to work.

Cycling is now the fourth most popular non-team sport in the country. Of those who actively participate (you have to sweat to qualify) in a sport activity, there are about an equal percentage of both men and women. This is a sport which includes exercise and the possibility of a bit of romance.

I have done or participated in many sports over my long life and now rank cycling among one of the best. It causes fewer knee and leg problems than most other sports. The motions are mostly smooth with no heavy pounding on dirt or pavement. Racers may have a different perspective than I have.

This is the great adventure that I have just completed.

Along with 250 others and at least 50 volunteers, I pedaled 720 km from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border. It was not a race. The trip lasted eight days and traversed 41 communities. Camping was provided at the end of each day as part of the registration fee but riders could also choose to stay at hotels and B&Bs along the way. I camped.

A large truck carried all the heavy stuff (tents, towels, shirts, etc) from one destination to the next. All we had to carry were water bottles and some energy food. A few vans brought supplies to use along the route or to carry cyclists who felt that they had pedaled enough for that day. That latter was an easy option and with no questions asked. The volunteers, who pedaled or drove the entire distance, were always there to check whether everything was all right. I felt safe at all times.

The Waterfront Trail runs along the edges of Canadian shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The trial is still evolving and at present runs along beautiful bicycle paths and mostly low-traffic roads. The trail actually runs right in front of my house. Last year, I saw 250 happy people cycle by as I sat on my front porch. I thought that if they could do it, then why not me? And I did.

Was it easy? I probably worked harder than some others as I am a bit (??) overweight and have been cycling seriously for only three months. The tour literature suggested that we pedal about 1,000 km to get ready for the tour. I did 850 km. As an encouragement, my son Eric actually paid for most of my new bike. In life, roles often tend to reverse themselves.

The first day was the toughest. The prevailing winds were in my face from the beginning point until I got to Burlington. This was a day when the temperatures were in the mid 30s and the humidity was in the low 40s. Advisories were out for you regular folks to stay in air conditioned spaces. I and 250 others pedaled on.

This first day provided a taste of what was to come over the eight days. This included some tenderness in those body parts that reside on or near the seat. I also learned a valuable lesson on that first day. If you think you are a bit slower than the rest of the crowd, it is best to start near the front or at least in the middle of the pack at the beginning of the day. On that first day, I started near the back and was often surrounded by friendly red shirts (technically called volunteer sweepers) that were there to make sure that no one, including me was left behind or lost forever.

I started earlier for the rest of the tour and let other people past … the cyclist warning passing on the left is now embedded in my brain forever. There were rest stops about every 10 to 15 km along the route. These stops were provided by enthusiastic local communities and organizations. We were given water, energy drinks, veggies, fruits and lots of information about their communities. This was done at 41 places along the trial. The Mayor of South Glengarry, Jim McDonell was the official tour ambassador and he and his wife Maggie collected community pins as they pedaled along the trail with the rest of us.

That first evening was great. I put up my tent and talked to many other cyclists about the day. I made many new friends. I was also in the company of my older but fitter brother Hervė and his wife Ursula. It was wonderful to talk to so many other enthusiastic people who had at least one thing in common and that was cycling. Typically, the campgrounds were silent by about 10 pm, or when the mosquitoes came out, whichever came first. I slept better than I do at home. I thank Mike for letting me use his pump for my air mattress.

Everyone was well fed during the trip. Many purchased a meal plan as part of the tour while others provided for themselves. I actually gained two pounds, in spite of all the burnt calories.

The second day covered 105 km from Hamilton to Pickering. The wind was now at my back and my pace increased. The day included a stop at Ontario Place in Toronto. The hardest part was pedaling through the Scarborough Bluffs area, which included several hill climbs.

In Pickering, we stayed at the Town Centre with access to showers and the recreation centre. A local bike shop was set up on the site. A top selling product for new cyclists like me was Chamios Butt’r a cream which provides protection for those increasingly sensitive body parts that reside near the bike seat. I recommend it or something similar. I encourage you to use it even if it makes you the butt of your friend’s jokes … the reality is that non-users ended up being the sore losers.

The next day I pedaled 105 km to Cobourg. Not only was I really beginning to enjoy all of this cycling but I was challenged to do the hills near Port Hope. I did them all (some by walking rather than pedaling my bike) and thus was the recipient of a free beer at a restaurant that evening. Thank you to my new friends Marg and Andy.

The next day was my favourite. I biked the 120 km to Picton. The trials were nicer and I was getting into the zone. For me, being in the zone means that I am consumed by the here and now and nothing else. It is a great feeling. After the evening meal, I even danced to a few old tunes. Yes, I danced after all those km on the road. At 10 pm that evening, and most evenings thereafter, some fellow cyclist in a distant tent played a short tune on a flute. This was a soothing signal for the end of the day. I thank this unnamed flutist.

Another 120 km through the 1,000 Islands the next day, followed by a swim at Ivy Lea Park. Day six was only 80 km to Johnstown and another swim. I think it is a very good sign when I can honestly put the word only in front of 80 km. A few months earlier 20 km was a struggle.

Day seven took me all the way to Cornwall. The day had some of the best scenery with terrific pathways from Upper Canada Village to Cornwall. There were signs of an approaching rainstorm as I pedaled through Cornwall. Since I live only 15 km beyond Cornwall, I decided to try to get home before the storm. I did not make it in one try. It suddenly started to pour and so I hid under a tree. A couple in a nearby garage yelled that I should come in out of the rain. I accepted the invitation and ended up watching the storm inside the garage while enjoying some liquid refreshments. Thank you to the Campeau family. I did get home a few minutes later.

This left only 30 km for the eight and final day. The mood was fantastic as everyone knew this was the final stretch in a long journey. This last bit covered the South Glengarry route that I pedaled many times during my practice runs. It now seemed so easy compared to just a few months earlier. And I saw the scenery as being even more beautiful than ever before. We arrived at the Quebec border to cheering, clapping and singing. We all received a medal made out of recycled links of a bicycle chain. Pizza and dessert followed. There were lots of hugs and promises to meet again.

Am I glad I did it? YES. Will I do it again next year? MAYBE. Do I recommend it to others? YES. It is a once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed. I am #145 in the picture.
Check the Waterfront Trail website for more information. http://www.waterfronttrail.org/gwta_web/

Roger Sauvé is President of People Patterns Consulting (www.peoplepatternsconsulting.com). Roger is an economist and demographer and lives in Summerstown Ontario.

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FIFA World Cup 2010 – Spain #1 by David Rawnsley – Cornwall Ontario – July 12, 2010

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:21:56 +0000

Cornwall ON - As the game looked as if it was drifting towards a penalty shoot-out the extra-time thankfully delivered a winner. Had you missed the first 90 minutes of a drab final you would have enjoyed the thrilling soccer played in those extra 30. If you had sat through the whole disappointing game you would likely remember most the officiating by the world’s number one referee, Howard Webb, and wonder as to the future of the game.

Probably the biggest news was that Octopus Paul was again correct in his prediction of a winner (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/7885195/World-Cup-2010-Spaniards-make-38k-transfer-bid-for-psychic-octopus-Paul.html). Demonstrating, quite clearly, that eight legs are better than two when it comes to predictions – my choices have been nowhere near as accurate.
I think it is safe to say that, on the day, the best team won. For some reason the Dutch abandoned their flowing, expansive football in favor of a “kick anything that moves” strategy, with very little subtlety. The Spanish played their game, which includes major dramatics whenever touched by the opposition, and finally found a route to goal. The goalkeepers on both sides played well but this was never going to be a goalfest.
Were these the two best teams in the competition? – Unlikely. But it is a knock-out event, so luck, how you do on the day, quality of officiating, the weather, have a huge influence on the outcome of the game. And once teams are through the initial group stage then losing is no longer an option. However, these two teams would grace any top-five selection, and will likely be around in the closing stages of Brazil 2014.
How do I rate this World Cup compared to previous ones? Evidently, communications technology has come a long way. As I watched the event in my living room with a few guests, on my nice new high definition television, with instant review of every decision made by the on-field officials, pictures of players diving over an outstretched leg, pictures of players stomping on other player’s legs, pictures of players being held back away from the action, make it clearer than ever to me that the game is desperately in need of a technological boost.

Whether this will be another new ball with a gismo inside to detect if it crosses the line, whether it will be more officials on or off the field, what is certain is that what we the viewers are watching must be communicated to the single individual charged with running the game. If the best referee in the world cannot manage the World Cup final, because of the level of cheating, then we must move into the 21st Century and give the officials the help that they so desperately need.
I hope you have enjoyed these commentaries. This is David Rawnsley signing off until the dream emerges again.

David Rawnsley is President of the Char Lan Minor Soccer Association as well as Executive Director of FOSS, Friends of SD&SG Soccer and a district Referee, as well as co-founder of Char-Lan Women’s Soccer.

Soccer is his Passion, and we’re hoping to get several reports from him during the 2010 Fifa World Cup!

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Is Habs Goalie Carey Price LA bound? Rumor Mill in HIGH GEAR – July 10, 2010 – Cornwall ON

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:58:26 +0000

Cornwall ON – Dontcha love texting? I know Twitter is in vogue, but it’s so….public. My sources have told me that there is a lot of buzz to Carey Price being shipped to Dean Lombardi with a certain Russian. A LA goalie would be coming to the Great White North in the deal, but that both teams are waiting to see where a few more chips fall.

The San Jose Sharks are playing hardball or payback depending on your philosophy with the Chicago Black Hawks by putting in an offer on Black Hawk D Man Niklas Hjalmarsson who’s a RFA. If Chicago doesn’t match they get a 1st and 3rd round draft pick in return. My take is let him go as the 4 year $14M offer is a bit pricey unless you think Niklas is going to be a definite top 4 D Man.

Matching the contract means more cap woes for the Stanley Cup Winning Black Hawks.

What do you think Hockey Fans? You can post your comments below.

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“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE” Cleveland’s Dan Gilbert not Happy with Lebron James signing with Heat – July 9, 2010

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:35:26 +0000

Cornwall ON - Basketball in Miami looks to be doing something unprecedented. Star free agent Lebron James is leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign up with the Heat who have put together a dream team after trading for Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh and signing Dwayne Wade. All three are going to be playing for a bit less cash to make the salary structure work under the cap and combined with legendary coach Pat Riley makes the Heat a target by all the other teams in the NBA.

LINK

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE,” (Dan) Gilbert declared. “You can take it to the bank.”

Ow, now that’s one angry NBA owner who has written a letter to his teams fans. What do you think NBA fans? You can post your comments below.

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FIFA 2010 World Cup – Four Games to Relish by David Rawnsley – Cornwall Ontario – July 7, 2010

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:31:03 +0000

World Cup – Four Games to Relish

Cornwall ON - No matter whether you are a World Cup novice and joining the party near its conclusion or a soccer-junky slowly weaning yourself from weeks of the beautiful game, the next four games are there for us all to relish. Holland vs. Uruguay today, Germany vs. Spain tomorrow, the third-place final on Saturday and the Grand Finale on Sunday, we have four games in six days that will demonstrate why soccer is the world’s game.

Many people have asked me over the last few weeks, why is soccer so popular around the world? My answer is: “it is cheap to play and it can be played by anyone.”

I remember watching the beginning of the game between Japan and Paraguay as they were pictured during the national anthems. The Paraguayans were some much bigger than their Japanese counterparts. But what Japan lacked in stature they made up for with speed, quick movements, and fitness. As the game developed it was readily apparent that they were soccer equals. As we remember this one went to a shoot out to decide the winner.

All that anyone needs to play this game is the willingness to develop foot-ball skills. The greats of the game were given a ball early in their lives, or, as in the case of the great Pele, something round that he could pretend was a ball, and they were rarely without that ball as their lives developed. I am fortunate to have witnessed the development of Christine Julien, Williamstown’s own soccer star and current member of the Canadian women’s squad. I hear from her neighbors that she spent long hours just kicking a ball around her yard. My own daughter, Grace, no slouch when it comes to soccer would shoot a ball into a hammock that we had rigged in the garden; we would sometimes compete to see who could get the most hits. At her best she could get it in 9 times out of 10 from distances equating to taking a free kick or a corner. She ended up as her team’s corner taker even though she was a full-back. I stopped competing with her when my 5 out of 10 was not good enough.

So, if you have children, give them a ball and encourage them to find out what is possible. Let them enjoy these four matches and see with their own eyes what is possible. And let’s hope that we can at least emulate New Zealand and have a Canadian men’s team return undefeated from the World Cup 2014, in Brazil.
Which, of course, means we have to qualify!

Soccer is his Passion, and we’re hoping to get several reports from him during the 2010 Fifa World Cup!

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Former NHL Enforcer Bob Probert Passes Away at 45 – Red Wing & Black Haw Great RIP

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:56:32 +0000

Cornwall ON - One of the men that personafied the role of ENFORCER in the NHL has passed away at the age of 45. Bob Probert is survived by his wife and four children. He suffered from Drug and Alcohol issues during his career, but recently had been supporting Canadian troops and raising money for charity by playing Alumni Hockey games.

He also competed on Battle of the Blades on CBC; a show the combined Hockey Players with Figure Skaters. While considered one of the worst shows and concepts in Television history the show was renewed for a second season.

PROBERT ON WIKI

PROBERT CAREER STATISTICS

Here’s a video from You Tube showing exactly what Bob Probert did best in the NHL.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sVOIVueHGQ

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FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010 – Can Germany’s luck last? by David Rawnsley

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:27:35 +0000

Cornwall ON - I was expecting this to be a South American, World Cup, and with half of the last eight coming from there it seemed I was on to a good thing. But now?…. Of my four South American teams only one advanced, whereas all three European teams made it to the last four, establishing this clearly as an eastern hemisphere competition and not, as I had thought, a southern hemisphere one.
Germany, Spain, and Holland are all there to fight another day, and only Uruguay is there to represent South America. Both Brazil and Argentina are left to contemplate next time, in Brazil.

Of course, this didn’t happen without the officiating fiascos. The Paraguayan penalty should have been retaken for the same reason that Spain’s was subsequently re-spotted – Spanish players had encroached into the penalty area, which includes for penalties the semi-circle behind where the penalty is taken. In the first instance it was overlooked and the Spanish goalkeeper’s save was allowed to hold. What might have happened if the kick had been retaken? Might not the Paraguayans have scored?
And what about the Germans second, killer goal? – Clearly offside. But German luck is certainly in at this World Cup. Remember the equalizing goal from England that was waved off when it was so unambiguously over the goal line. This would have seen the English energized by their comeback and ready to go on and win. No, German luck is in, and I am guessing that they will make it to the final when they will meet?…

It is hard to pick a winner between Spain and Holland. Both have unbeaten records that boast of their skill and commitment. Spain is the European champion but that rarely presages the World Cup outcome. Holland, like Germany has been there often before. I believe I am now leaning to Holland. But whichever it is, the big question will be whether German luck can last?

I am going out on a limb when I say, “no it can’t.” I am uncertain whether it will be Spain or Holland, but either can beat the Germans.

Soccer is his Passion, and we’re hoping to get several reports from him during the 2010 Fifa World Cup!

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World Cup – Yes, this is soccer at its best. – FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010 by David Rawnsley – Cornwall Ontario – July 3, 2010

admin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:13:29 +0000

Cornwall ON - Probably, one of the great games of soccer – Brazil verses Holland, 2010.
This game had everything – great acting from the assembled cast; excellent officiating from the Japanese referee; moments of magic; moments of drama; an outcome undecided until the final whistle; and soccer the like of which I have rarely seen. As a neutral, a game played at such a speed as to stupefy the observer; a prize for tuning in on the morning after Canada Day celebrations.

And the Ghana/Uruguay match was not too shabby either; last minute drama the likes of which have rarely been seen in World Cup history. A Uruguayan savior, who did what any defender would do – keep the ball out of the net. That he will miss the semi-final is hardly a hardship, his team, his country, will still be there, and should they somehow beat the team from Argentina then I am sure he will be back for the final.

Yes, this is soccer at its best. Soccer as played on Friday, July 2nd, 2010, is a rare commodity and those that shared in its playing on the field, in the stadium, in front of a television, shared in one of the great days. Will Holland go on to greater things? – I think a berth in the final beckons. Will Uruguay challenge to become the darlings of South America? – Probably not, I think that Argentina have that role sewn up. Will this day be remembered as the day the 2010 World

Cup came to life? – You’d better believe it!

I am salivating at the thought of the next matches – Germany verses Argentina and Paraguay verses Spain. Europe verses South America; western hemisphere verses eastern hemisphere; northern hemisphere verses south.

Bring it on!

Soccer is his Passion, and we’re hoping to get several reports from him during the 2010 Fifa World Cup!

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