Wheelin' Wednesday-The hockey world according to Liam Maguire

WHEELIN' WEDNESDAY

THE HOCKEY WORLD ACCORDING TO LIAM MAGUIRE

The Real Ogie!! Philly bound! Bunch of jerks! A quick look at the Canadian teams as the seasons draws to a close; Happy birthday Bobby Orr! Happy birthday Crystal Mitchell!!

The Real Ogie! The life and legend of Goldie Goldthorpe.

Folks, the book is almost upon us! If you ordered an advance copy and have not received it-blame me! lol..so sorry. I added a story at the 59th minute of the 11th hour. We literally stopped the presses. It was only 600 words, with two pictures but the nature of how it came to be, it had several connections to Goldie including comments from a man who fought him in junior and met him years later- I just had to get it in. So sorry. The book is done and will be sent out shortly and the information regarding our public signings in Ottawa will be posted on March 25th. It's gonna be epic! Goldie is pumped to come to Ottawa. We will be in Thunder Bay first, his home town, which is appropriate and then it's a week in Ottawa. Hope to see you at one of our many events not only in Ottawa but as we crisscross the country.

Philadelphia Freedom

First up for me though is a return trip to Philadelphia. I'm hosting Fight Night-Old Time Hockey in south Philly Friday night, March 22nd. Attending will be Dave Hammer Schultz, Andre Moose Dupont, Bob Hound Dog Kelly, Brownie-Dave Brown, Daryl Stanley, Terry 'Taz' O'Reilly, Marty McSorley and Chris Knuckles Nilan. They are all on stage with me. We will have videos of their heyday and their comments about those battles. Hanging around in the crowd will be Riley Cote, Todd Fedoruk and Winchester's own Terry Carkner, among others. Bernie Parent, Brian Propp, Danny Briere and Joe Watson also will be in the crowd. Going to be an amazing night! They wanted Goldie to attend but he's not able to cross the border yet. He's working on it and hopefully this little problem is cleared up soon...…….:)

Bunch of jerks

My thoughts on the Hurricanes post game antics, good for them and their fans. I could care less if they pulled an ending similar to the one in Slap Shot. I don't watch it, I'm not a fan of it but I could care less what they do. I would never, ever want to see stuff like that done in Montreal but if their fans like it and the players have bought in, rock on. Seriously....why Grapes or Brian Burke have gone to great lengths to crap on this when it's so easy to just ignore it is beyond me but that's old school at it's finest. The game has changed immeasurably in the last 10-15 years. More than any other ten year period in hockey history. I don't represent the average age of fans any more. I just don't get the angst over it when you can simply change the channel or get up and leave the building.

Habs

Notwithstanding the win in Philly Montreal's play of late is the perfect example of where they still need to improve their roster. They've got some real nice pieces but a bonafide sniper is not one of them. The D corp is 'okay' but no where near good enough to challenge the elite teams especially in a best-of-seven, if they even get that chance. As for the power play...wow....I have never seen one so inept with seemingly enough pieces to at least run at 15-16%. Lately it's looked better but losing every draw to start kills the first 20sec, entry is spotty at best; to many forced passes into traffic and the lack of confidence from their top offensive players on the PP has spread through the roster like a virus. I could write a bunch of different things. Shoot asap; Shaw or Gallagher in front; zero passes into traffic; shots come asap from the umbrella and hit the net or find the short side, no long side shots. What else can you do. It's a mess and will not improve this year. That said, it's been a real solid season overall . Lots of great things and more coming. Lots to be encouraged about if you're a Montreal fan.

The Flames and Jets look great! Goaltending is their question mark for a long playoff run. They both score a ton, they defend well; both power plays are lethal; penalty killing is 'okay'. Both are well coached and they've been at or near the top all season not withstanding Tampa's runaway season. My heart says the Jets are a bit more poised for a long run after the disappointment of last year and if they are fully healthy I think they possess the best Canadian chance to win the Cup. Toronto is a train wreck ready to happen exacerbated by their social media fan base who bob and weave in their commentary like drunken fools. Toronto have got to slay the dragon which for them is the Boston Bruins. Much like Boston had to do to Montreal in 1988. After 17 consecutive series losses going back 45 years, Boston finally won in 1988. Since and including that series win it's been 7-5 Boston and although the Habs won the most recent in 2014, it's all about that game 7 win in OT in 2011 because Boston went on to win the Cup. Even though both franchises have won the same number of Cups in the last 25 seasons, Boston slayed the dragon. Leafs have to do the same. Much has been made of their lack of physicality and I agree. They can run and gun with anybody. I do believe Andersson will right his ship in goal; their D is satisfactory at best. No where near good enough to challenge for a Cup. It's been a meteoric rise given the JT signing and their superstar led offense but I don't see them ready for prime time.

The Canucks are rocking. I predict they make the playoffs next year. Pettersson will win the Calder in a walk, they've got the other Hughes coming, some great young pieces. This is the most encouraging time to be a Canuck fan since the Sedins were winning back to back scoring titles and they rolled to a Cup final. Edmonton and Ottawa, wow, that's scary how dysfunctional these organizations are. I talk to hardcore Sens fans all the time. They look at the solid pieces that always seem to be on the horizon but why will any of them stay under the worst ownership in pro sports history? Guy Boucher had to go, of that there was no doubt and whether Marc Crawford starts next season or not, what can they do to secure a nucleus of their young talent? Any other hockey talk re Ottawa is a moot point. Edmonton have their own issues. Somehow they have to gut that roster. It is imperative to add some depth or at least the promise of it while Connor can still get away with shaving every other day.

Couple of special birthday's

Figures the greatest hockey player of all time and the greatest female friend of my life of all time share the same birthday. Bobby Orr and Manotick's own, Crystal Mitchell. Ya, ya, I know it's Crystal Presley. But when she lived on Old Colony, when I first took her to a stag; when I drove her to work; when I watched her play ball ( TLF ) when I attended the services for her beautiful mother, she was Crystal Mitchell, living on Old Colony. So for the purposes of today, She is still-Crystal Mitchell and I sure do love that woman. Happy birthday my dear, long time, beautiful friend. xoxoxoxoxo