Mark Bell suspended.

Thanks to Kukla for posting this.

Sources tell TSN Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell has been suspended indefinitely without pay after being placed into stage two of the NHL’s substance abuse program.
In order to be reinstated, Bell will require the recommendation of program doctors along with the approval of both the National Hockey League and the NHLPA.

Mark Bell will serve time...

Thanks to Kukla...for pointing this out to everybody. Mark Bell plead guilty to drunk driving causing injury and hit and run. He will be serving time.

The Leaf forward, picked up in the Vesa Toskala trade with San Jose in June, will be sentenced to six months in a Santa Clara ,California county jail to be served at the end of this upcoming season.

Official sentencing will be in October.

The charges stem from an incident in San Jose on Labour Day last year when Bell's vehicle rear-ended a pickup truck in the early morning hours, leaving the driver of the truck with head injuries.

UPDATE: Found this on facebook...it made me giggle.

James Mulvina (no network) wrote 27 minutes ago

HES not gunna get jail time just like gordon bombay Mark bell will be coaching a pee wee hockey team lol

Everybody hates the Leafs.

So apparently there are a few things in hockey that all fans have in common. And, when I say fans I mean us die-hard support our team through thick and thin fans. One of the biggest things is most of us hate the Leafs. Personally for me, as soon as I got into hockey I knew I didn’t like them. They were just one of the teams that I had no feelings but dislike for. So I decided a bit ago to try and figure out some reasons why everyone hated the Leafs so I sent some e-mails out and posted a blog to try and get some answers. So here is the majority of what I got. Bare with me…in high school we were told that we had to support our arguments so I will be doing that.

*Darcy Tucker – One of the dirtiest players in NHL history. Cheap-shot expert. Everyone that I have talked to has said I hate Tucker. Tucker sucks. On http://www.youtube.com hockeyguy9119 I think says it best when he says, “I'm a Leafs fan, but I'm real about it. I don't think they're a playoff team, and TUCKER SUCKS!!! anyone can stand there and shoot into an open net on the powerplay” Tucker just signed a four-year deal worth $3 million dollars per season…so I guess everyone has to go on dealing with his cheap shots for another four years. And, everyone who Is a Leaf's hater…can hate on for the next 4 seasons.



* Living in the past…and liking it – The Leafs seem to like to celebrate what happened a long time ago before most of their “fans” were born. This year they celebrated the anniversary of winning the Cup….uhm FOURTY years ago. Are you kidding me? Who does that?! Seriously. Why would you celebrate something like that? Are you really that desperate? Celebrate something that happened this year. Celebrate something that matters NOW! I decided to look at where they have been in the playoffs and when they have dropped out in the past 40 years and here is what I found: They haven’t even made it to the Stanley Cup finals since 1967. And, 12 of those seasons they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Hmm…come on now Leafers get real. (And, if you include this year it makes it 13 seasons.)

*Their fans – I’m sure this one is going to piss people off…but hey what has to be done must be done. The boys of HabsCast said their fans are “classless” they also say they’re “uncultured” and they’re annoying. They also say that they are “clueless and know nothing about hockey and their heritage.” Now, my only complaint about the Leaf fans themselves is well they are kind of clueless. I mean I was at a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Dallas Stars game…and some guy was wearing a Leaf jersey…in COLUMBUS, OHIO!!! I mean seriously…why?? I know it’s a hockey jersey…but wear one of the teams that’s actually playing. The men over at SensUnderground call this, “Spotting the Idiot.” And, I will let you know that I did take a picture of this guy and send it into them. Also, I heard there was someone at one of the playoff games in Leafs attire and yelling “Go Leafs GO.” Come on now. That’s just dumb! Now, I do know that not all of their fans are like this and that all fans can be obnoxious. I have to say my HLOG sisters K. Le and Monika are wonderful. (And just for the record no one can hate me for this blog…I wrote it using all information that was given to me plus my experiences with Leafers) I posted a blog asking everyone why they hated the Leafs…and I got a bunch of responses but here is one from Tspot that stuck out:

“100 % There fans!!! Holy crap there are things to be said about having pride in your team but common guys you don't listen to reason you think you are winning the cup every year it's been what 60 years since you won :) news flash you need to get in the playoffs first. Please do not argue that Mats Sundin is one of the greatest to ever play, you need to win something to be considered great.
Maybe It all goes back to what Ryan said about the maple leafs being Crammed down our throats since we where all born..”

Also, on my blog that asked why everyone hates the Leafs I got the one special Leafer that wrote “Go Leafs Go” of course that person remained anonymous.

*Lou and Marty hate the Leafs. Yes, that’s right The General Manager for the New Jersey Devils and arguably the best goalie of all time hate the Leafs. In the Devils last game of the 06-07 season they decided to play, I have only played 3 other times this year Clemmensen instead of Marty. Which honestly who can blame them? A decision that in fact knocked the Leafs out of the playoffs. The Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens the night before which kept them in the playoff hunt and then their destiny was in the hands of Lou and Marty who said, nah we hate the Leafs Scottie you’re going in. (Ok, so I made that up…but it was classic you know this.)

*Media in Canada seems to have a love affair with the Leafs. I don’t live in Canada so I have to rely on the comments I got in response to my blog, so here’s what they have to say:


Ryan says: “Because my favorite show (HNIC) has been shoving them down my throat for my entire life. So many times I turn on the T.V. hoping to see a great Ottawa, Pittsburgh game (for example), only to learn that the HNIC has decided to show Toronto, Florida instead. It has frustrated me 5-10 times a year since I was six. That is a lot of pent up frustration.”

Sarah says: “To expand on what Ryan said...pretty much all major media, cultural institutions, etc in (English) Canada are located in Toronto. That leads to a situation where much of the media tends to reflect the concerns, interests, obsessions et al of Torontonians as if they represent the entire country. This leads a lot of Canadians outside of the GTA to feel resentful of Toronto and see Torontonians as self-satisfied, self-obsessed, and unaware of anything east of Oshawa or west of Milton. There's really nothing comparable in the US, because here NYC is counterbalanced by LA, Chicago, DC, etc to a much greater extent than Vancouver, Montreal, etc counterbalance Toronto.

The Leafs are wrapped up in this resentment/irritation because they represent Toronto, and because as with other matters Torontonian, they're often held up as "Canada's Team" especially by the CBC, even though there are five other NHL teams in Canada.

I'm far less annoyed by the Leafs now that I'm back in the States and don't have to deal with the Toronto-centric media. I'm also really quite fond of the city of Toronto, although I don't like the Toronto-The-Centre-of-the-Universe as it is in the media, etc”

Anonymous says: “hey, I hate the leafs naturally because I am a montreal fan, But it is also because they are "the center of the earth". CBC loves them Bob Cole rants about their superiority, I hate that so f***ing much!!!!!!!”

*So that’s what I have found…that’s why most people hate the Leafs. The mystery is no more. But I am going to leave you with another one of the comments I got on my post…I think he pretty much sums everything up.

Anonymous says: “Because when they win, it's despite the refs, and when they lose, it's because of the refs.

Darcy Tucker.

They clearly don't care about winning, only making money. Which is convenient, since a blind monkey throwing darts could turn a profit in Leaf-land.

They have some sort of co-dependency thing going with Sundin, which prevents him from moving on to a real franchise.

Their socks have too many stripes.

Their "top four" (sarcastic quotes) defensemen "earn" (more sarcastic quotes) over $18 million while having a combined +19 rating. There are currently fifteen *individual* D-men in the league that are +19 or better. If you take these fifteen plus the Leafs "top four" and rank them by salary, Leafs occupy slots 2, 4, 5, and 13. Well played, JFJ!”

No offense

But, I was reading through an article from the Columbus Dispatch, and well they said that we are looking at guys like Craig Button (former GM of the Calgary Flames which I have no problem with but he isnow the scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs...now I know I'm not the only one that knows Toronto has like no drafting ability so do we really want this guy) And, HG how was this guy as GM? If you want to read the article it is here. new GM thing is stressful...you have such high hopes for your team but being a Jackets fan you know that the important stuff is the higher ups. You can't be successful without someone who knows what they are doing. In the article they also list, Dave Taylor, and Craig Patrick are the other ones that are available. Anyway, thats all for now...I'm going to try other articles today see if I can snoop out some other candidates :)

Red Wings vs Jackets

Alright, I have been to a ton of hockey games. But, never really experienced what I experienced yesterday. The crowd was a pretty big mixture of Red Wings and Blue Jackets fans...which made for an interesting game. I think the thing that sticks out the most to me with this is the Red Wings fan trying to boo Sergei Fedorov in OUR building. I mean seriously who does that? It's rude not only to the player but to us Blue Jackets fans in attendance. To counteract the booing we starting cheering for him. Everytime he touched the puck I was screaming for him to go! As everybody...well anybody who reads my blog knows I love Fedorov and think he is one of the best hockey players in the league. Notice I didn't say scorers but I said a hockey player. One who can see the ice...and make the plays. Anyway, the game was rough for us Jackets fans, because until about a minute left in the 3rd period we were getting shut out. I personally am not a fan of those...so I was getting discouraged but I kept on cheering my boys on...and finally Mr. Rick Nash...put one in the back of the net.

Now, I usually don't have a problem with Red Wings fans...because let's face it...I usually am one...except when they are playing the Jackets. With 2 minutes left some idiot threw an octopus onto OUR ice...in OUR arena. That made me really upset...this is the our house...this is where WE play. Do NOT bring your traditions or your damn octopus into it. I don't care what the score is...we wouldn't do it there and you shouldn't do it here. Anyway...I'm proud of my boys...in the first period they played great. I was especially impressed with Brule...he was one of the only one's I saw crashing the net most of the game. And, he was getting a little frisky with one of the Wings. At the very end of the game...Manny and the guy who was pushin on Brule were having some words back and fourth...I wanted so bad for Manny to drop the gloves but I knew that it would solve nothing.

Alright, now I have all the respect in the world for goalies...I will always appreciate a great goal tender and will always cheer for them when they have good games...even when they are against my team. BUT last night Hasek during the singing of OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM didn't take off his helmet. Why? I don't know...but it made me mad. Then, he had a really good game...and got named 2nd star...and didn't skate. When you are one of these elite goal tenders...you have fans no matter where you go...so you probably should skate when you are named a star. Martin Brodeur does...and for that I'm very thankful.

Anyway, I suppose that is all for now. I'm at work and suppose I better get back to it. I am hoping to finish my Leaf post sometime soon...which brings me to another thing. WEAR A LEAFS JERSEY AT A LEAFS GAME!!!! not a Detroit and Columbus game...and not a Columbus and Dallas game...I mean seriously. Sheesh.

Why do you hate the Leafs?!

I'm just curious...I want some reasons here...it's pretty common for everyone to hate the Leafs...aside from the Leafs fans. Anyway throw some reasons my way!

I try so hard...

I try really hard to be supportive of my boys and ya know what...it's time to call them out. The past 2 games Norrena has stood on his head for these guys. And, well we just haven't gotten the offense. The goalies job is to give the other players a chance to win. There is no reason why we can't score 3 or 4 goals in a night. People need to stand up and it's like Hitch always says "Our best players need to be our best players" and quite frankly they haven't done it. Vyborny, Nash, Modin, and Fedorov need to step it up. I don't have such a problem with Fedorov because to be honest he is playing really well. Last night against Dallas he was hitting, getting rough with guys, and was taking some hits. Then tonight against Nashville he was playing on the blue line...and he did an amazing job. But, Nash, and Vyborny need to step it up. Modin...from what the announcers have told us has been injured and playing on a hurt food or ankle or something. Anyway, I'm just really disappointed in my team...but I still love them. And, just to be clear...I am in NO WAY talking smack about the goalie, Fredrik Norrena!

And, some idiot wore a Leafs jersey to the game...a Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets game...way to be skill.

AND, look at this video...there is a quote that Tootoo says he's not a dirty player...what a joke.

If the playoffs started today...

If they playofffs started today for the Eastern Conference you would have:

1. Buffalo
2. New Jersey
3. Tampa Bay
4. Pittsburgh
5. Ottawa
6. Atlanta
7. Carolina
8. Toronto *yeah the Leafs....weird*

And, for the Western Conference:

1. Detroit
2. Anaheim
3. Vancouver
4. Nashville
5. San Jose
6. Dallas
7. Minnesota
8. Calgary

Ok so I don't really know what to write about but I figure I will just talk about the teams in my opinion what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are. So that should be fun eh?!

Buffalo...strengths...well I believe they are very good offensively and with the start they got this season they have themselves in a very good position being number 1 in the East. I think their weakness is their goalie situation. I know Ryan Miller was an all star (which doesn't mean anything) but I just don't think he's that good.

Detroit...strengths...very good defensively minded team. Also, a lot of the players on their team have playoff experience. This next thing I am going to say is a strength and a weakness...Hasek...yes he is an amazing goalie but at the same time you worry about his health. If he goes down I don't know that Osgood will be able to pull off a decent playoff run...but only time will tell.

New Jersey...strengths...Martin Brodeur and that crazy good defense they have...and they are amazing when it comes down to those 1 goal games. Weaknesses...sometimes their offense struggles...but then again...if they can get 1 or 2 goals Marty can do the rest.

Anaheim...strengths...talent...every single one of the guys on that team has talent oozing from them. They are a very complete team. Weaknesses I think sometimes they get too confident...and they lose sight of what they need to do.

Tampa Bay...strengths...offense...St. Louis...Lecavalier...Richards...but then their weakness is that's about all they have. Their goalie situation is far from ideal and their defense struggles.

Vancouver...strengths they are a great team with an amazing regular season goalie...but then a weakness pops up because you have no idea what Luongo is capable of doing in the playoffs.

Pittsburgh...strengths...Crosby and Malkin these kids are great talents to have on the ice and hard to catch. Weaknesses hardly any playoff experience.

Nashville...strengths 2 solid goal tenders...another very complete team. Weaknesses...again confidence and not a whole lot of playoff experience.

Ottawa...strengths...holy cow...Dany Heatley...Jason Spezza...have you seen these guys play?! Weaknesses Emery is a great goalie but I think he can get a little too confident sometimes...then there is Gerber...who I think has become a big flub.

San Jose...strengths...goalies...offense. Their goalies are amazing and their offense is wonderful...with a guy like Thornton on your team anything can happen. Weakness they seem to slump pretty easily. I don't know why...but confidence is not a problem for this team.

Atlanta...strengths offense...weakness...goalies. I honestly don't know much about this team so I just went with what I knew....so there ya have it haha.

Dallas...strengths...great regular season team...solid team. Weakness Turco is not a playoff goalie...but this Smith could could do it for them...he's great.

Carolina...strengths...well hell they won the Stanley Cup last year how's that for confidence? Weakness Cam Ward has proved this season that he is kind of a flop...I mean...he's good and he did win the Stanley Cup last year but was that a fluke?! I don't know I could be way off...they do have quite a bit of talent on this team though.

Minnesota...strengths great team very fun to watch...and they have an amazing coach. (Probably my favorite other than Hitch) Weakness...their goalie is injured right now...and well he has a knee injury so who knows how he is going to come back...although they did beat the Nashville Preds tonight.

Toronto...I don't even want to talk about this team...haven't won the cup in 40 years...probably won't for another 40...sorry for all you people who like the Leafs.

Calgary...strengths...great goalie in Kipper...great defense...hell great offense...aside from the San Jose Sharks probably one of the most complete teams out there. Weakness....Calgary has a weakness? Who knew...haha...I honestly can't think of anything...

IN OTHER NEWS!!!!!!!

Marty Brodeur got his 11th shutout of the season!!!! Atta boy Marty!!!!