Zamp Rant

I can't watch the NHL playoffs anymore

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:24:45 GMT

It's been a rough couple of days.Tuesday, Wednesday, yesterday and today... I'm grabbing NHL playoff highlights every morning to bring you the best sports updates on the radio.I know the excitement level is still incredible, but I just can't bring myself to continue watching the Stanley Cup playoffs.My beloved Maple Leafs made one of the most improbable playoff exits ever, blowing a 3 goal lead in the 3rd period and losing in overtime on Monday in Boston.And I have not watched 1 minute, 1 second, of playoff hockey since... save for the highlights that I see every morning.The wound is still raw, the pain is still there, the heartbreak continues.I'm not sure when I'll be back in front of the tube, hopefully it's soon though, because playoff hockey is awesome.In the meantime, my vegetable garden is proceeding nicely, my lawn looks great, and ...

Williams & the Ticats head to arbitration

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:31:33 GMT

Today is arbitration day for Tiger-Cats star Chris Williams.He has an arbitration hearing to determine whether or not he must play out the final year of his contract with Hamilton.Williams claims the Cats broke a couple of rules when he signed a multi-year contract before the 2012 season.The speedy receiver and return man says the team did not offer him a required minimum 1-year contract with an option year.And he says he signed the deal with his American agent who was not certified with the CFLPA.The 25-year-old Williams has accomplished alot in his 2 seasons in the CFL, winning the rookie of the year award in 2011 and the special teams player of the year award in 2012.But Williams wants to try out for an NFL team, in the hopes of making substantially more money.There's two sides to every story, including this one....

Hoping to do better in round 2

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:46:33 GMT

Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs is underway, but I still want to lay out my selections for the 2nd round.But first, let's recap how I did in round #1.In the East, I took the Penguins, Canadiens, Rangers and Bruins.Well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad.Out West, I wasn't as good.I said the Hawks, Wings, Canucks and Blues would advance to round 2, but only two of those teams did.5 out of 8 is nothing to write home about, but I think I'm going to go 4 for 4 in round 2.Pittsburgh is going to dominate the Senators, and no, my thinking is not based on last night's 4-1 win by the Pens.Ottawa took advantage of a withering Habs team in round 1, and now face a much stronger opponent... Penguins in 5.The Bruins will use some of their momentum ...

A comeback for the ages

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:51:09 GMT

Now I remember what playoff hockey is really like, especially being a Leafs fan.The exhiliration, the anxiety, the pain, the sadness.All four emotions, and many more, came to light last night as I sat it utter shock following Toronto's late Game 7 collapse and overtime loss in Boston.It was a hard fought game, in which the Leafs found themselves up 4-1 with 11 or so minutes to play.They could see the finish line and perhaps began believing in the first round upset.But they choked.You have to give immense credit to the Bruins, who could have folded like a cheap suit, like the Capitals did last night.Down 4-1 in your own building with half a period to play in Game 7, lesser teams would have called it a night.But Boston stormed back, scoring twice in the final 90 seconds with Tuukka Rask on ...

Leafs and Bruins go to a Game 7

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:18:46 GMT

Well, well, well.Left for dead after losing in overtime last Wednesday night, the Maple Leafs have forced a Game 7 against the Bruins after beating Boston 2-1 last night.James Reimer had another great outing, making key saves in every period, and really deserved a shutout.Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel scored for the Buds, who have won two straight in this series, against the reeling Bruins.Joe Colborne stepped into the lineup for the injured Tyler Bozak and didn't look out of place.And unsung heroes like Ryan O'Byrne and Cody Franson had strong performances for Toronto.But the Leafs have to hold off on patting themselves on the back because there is still plenty of work to do.Toronto escaped with a Game 5 win in Beantown and I expect another nail biter tonight.Both goalies have played well, both teams have played physical and have created ...

It's do or die for the Leafs

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:30:28 GMT

It's not the situation any hockey team wants to be in.Close, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel.The Maple Leafs are in Boston tonight for Game 5 of their 1st round NHL playoff series.Toronto is coming off a heart breaking overtime loss on Wednesday night and trail 3-games-to-1.The good news is, the Leafs have proven they can beat the Bruins in Boston, which is what they did back in Game 2.The bad news is, the Bruins are 15-and-2 when leading a best-of-7 series 3-games-to-1.The Leafs have to approach tonight's game like it is a Game 7.Win, and they will play another Game 7 at the ACC on Sunday night... even though that would be Game 6.The real Game 7, if it comes to that, is scheduled for Monday, back in Beantown.Will the Leafs be able to push ...

Hey P.K., check your ego at the door

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:16:19 GMT

NHL players are more often that not described as humble people.In pre and post game interviews, players and coaches try not to give their opposition any bullentin board material.Yes, Mark Messier guaranteed a big playoff victory for the Rangers in 1994, and Joe Namath did the same before his Jets upset the Colts in Super Bowl III.But those types of quotes are few and far between.Even after last night's Game 4 overtime win by the Bruins, players on both teams stuck to the script."We have to take it one game at a time... the series clinching game is always the toughest one to win... our backs are against the wall... it's do or die."It can be laughable at times.And then there's Montreal defenceman P.K. Subban, who said this after his Habs lost in overtime to the Senators the other night, "I want to ...

Thoughts and prayers are with J.A. Happ

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:32:19 GMT

They are among the most isolated positions in team sports.A kicker in football and a goalie in hockey or soccer, they have tough jobs.But every game, the demands of a major league pitcher is off the charts.You're task is to shut down the opposition, staring down batter after batter, trying to give your team a chance to win the game.Blue Jays hurler J.A. Happ is one of those guys.A 30-year-old journeyman left-handed pitcher who has found a place in Toronto's starting rotation, until last night.Happ was hit in the head by a Desmond Jennings 2nd inning line drive that sent the 6-foot-6 southpaw to the turf at Tropicana Field in a heap.He laid there, clutching the side of his head as trainers rushed to his aid.Happ spent the night in hospital, getting treatment and undergoing tests, but is expected to recover.At ...

The Leafs aren't consistent enough

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:28:31 GMT

What a scene in Toronto last night as Leafs fans flooded inside, and around, the ACC for the city's first Stanley Cup playoff game in 9 years.It was a sea of Blue and White in Maple Leaf Square outside the arena, as fans watched Game 3 of the Leafs-Bruins series on a huge TV screen.But those fans, as well as the thousands inside the ACC, went home unhappy after the Buds fell 5-2 to Boston.I made mention of this yesterday, the Leafs are too inconsistent to be a serious playoff contender.They were horrifically generous in a Game 1 loss in Boston.The Leafs played a near flawless Game 2, and pulled out the win.Toronto started out well last night, but reverted to their lolly-gagging ways in the 2nd period and could never recover.The Leafs will not beat Boston if they don't cut down on ...

One week into the NHL playoffs, and...

rzamperin@900chml.com (Rick Zamperin) — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:33:17 GMT

We are one week into the Stanley Cup playoffs, and some things are much clearer than others.Highlighting the unclear column is the Leafs and Bruins series.I'm unsure whether Toronto can string together a series of games that would mimic Saturday's marvellous performance in Boston.Seriously, what team was that?I'm also a little hazy on Boston's game plan, they're clearly going for the "ugliest collection of goals" award.Most of their tallies in this series have had an odour to them.I don't know what to make of the Canucks, they've looked like a listless bunch in these playoffs, and that's why they're down 3-0.I have total clarity of the Senators-Canadiens series.Ottawa, led by head coach Paul McLean, is clearly under the skin of the Habs.Montreal's Michel Therrien is whining more than a dog who wants a treat after a walk.Hey Michel, how about ...