Toronto's 2013 Playoff Series

        Whatsup hockey fans? In this blog I will be posting about Toronto's performance in last year's playoffs. It all started in their first series of games against the Boston Bruins. Each game was very close in this series and they ended winning 3 games each therefore, Game 7 meant who proceeded to the next round and who was knocked out of the playoffs. In this game, Toronto, their fans and myself felt pretty confident since we were up 4-1 with 15 minutes left of the 3rd period. However after collapsing in the last 10 minutes of Game 7 and losing their 3 goal lead, Toronto's players felt the need to pay back their heartbroken fans. After a terrible lose and not winning a Stanley Cup in over 40 years, the Maple Leafs club decided 2014 will be a even better year. As I watched this game, I felt my emotions change in the snap of a finger from a proud Leafs fan to a very angry and embaressed fan. I could not believe my favorite team let us down so easily, they played such a good hard game but suddenly fell apart the last 15 minutes of the 3rd period. However, looking past all the disapointment, I remembered this was a good year for the Leafs becuase it was the first time we made the playoffs since May 4th, 2004. So last year The Toronto Maple Leafs were seen in a good and bad way. Either they were in the news for making the playoffs in over 4 years or made fun of for their heartbreaking 3 goal lead "choke" in Game 7.

        I hope this year is a much better year for the blue and white, I think we have potentiel and if we play hard enough and dont give up, we have a good chance to turn some heads.

Bib:
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/05/13/leafs-endure-heartbreaking-collapse-in-game-7-overtime-loss-to-bruins/
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/the-last-time-the-toronto-maple-leafs-made-the-playoffs-1.1323266

"Canadian's Game"

       We always hear the slogan "Canadian's Game" that is often brought up in the world of hockey. What this refers to is the term that some of us Canadians use to brag our glory and passion for the game of hockey. Now what I mean is, often time people say that hockey is Canada's sport because we invented modern ice hockey and we say "Canadian's are the best hockey players".  This stereotype is usually most talked upon during the Winter Olympics, World Juniors Tournament and NHL's Winter Classic Games. We hear this alot when people speak of Sidney Crosby to the rest of the NHL league. Not only is he basically Canada's hockey idol from 2010 to the present but also because of his astonishing skill and overall score in the NHL. He was also well known for his "Golden Goal" to win The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and that goal also made Sid Canada's Best Remembered Olympian. Now this stereotype may not be all that true. Hockey is not as popular played however, not only do I believe we have some of the best and most fans out there, we also have the most medals won in ice hockey in the Olympics. Including both men and woman, we have 18 medals, 11 in which are gold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8gzXBpyWGM
   
       This video commercial was shown alot on the television during the World Junior Tournament and it's getting the fans ready for the upcoming Winter Olympic games in Sochi 2014. There is a little hidden message in the ad that is pretty inspiring to us Canadians. This hints at "Canadian's Game" when they say "We invented this game, we perfected it, we have the most fans, most players, the most heart of any nation, we spent our whole entire lives on ice, so it doesn't matter if we're playing at someone else's rink or in someone else province or even in someone else's country, as long as there is ice to skate on, we're at home." Now as I said earlier that Canada did invent modern ice hockey, this commercial is in fact pointing out that this is our game because we perfected the game, we have the best fans and I truly love hockey.

Bib:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_Olympic_Games
http://www.canada.com/life/Sidney+Crosby+golden+goal+made+Canada+best+remembered+Olympian+poll+with+video/6999736/story.html

Pros and Cons of a Pro Hockey Player

       What's up hockey fanatics? Today I will be posting about basic events a hockey player will have to pass while making it to the "big leagues". This transition will change from being "normal" to a fast and famous lifestyle. Even though there are many advantages to this career, many times, professional hockey players go through stages of stress and even depression. This blog will cover general pros and cons of a professional hockey player's career.

       Hockey players will have to make crucial decisions on and off the ice. Just like any other professional athlete, they are constantly being interviewed, reported and idolized by many around the world. Therefore, at every appearance they make, generally in public, they need to always be aware to not say anything that the media can use against them. But, if you're somebody who loves attention, boy will you get it!  Also, as many of you know, hockey is a dangerous sport because there is always hitting or "contact" and it can lead to minor brain injuries (concussions), broken bones and very rarely, death. Even though there are certain risks to your body, a pro player's salary can easily cover any medical care needed. Money and fame will become a big factor in your life and most people who go through this transition "change", it can be for the good or the worse. As you make millions of dollars throughout your entire career, others will notice a change in their personality. Some people are in dept or get in trouble by the police because they spend to much money or let the fame get to them. However, with all the money they get, many players, such as Jarome Iginla, donate or make their own charities for the less fortunate.


       Choosing to become a hockey player is a very good career however, to reach that goal, there are many obstacles that you will need to overcome. Would you like to live the life of a professional hockey player?

Who's Your Favorite Player?
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The Beginning of the Original Six and the NHL

The Original Six Jerseys & Arenas

     The National Hockey League was formed in 1917 in Montreal Quebec. Today there is 30 franchised teams, 7 located in Canada and 23 located in the United States. The first six teams that played in this league for 25 seasons were Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadians, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. (Wiki)

    The era of the Original Six lasted from 1942-1967. They were known as "The Original Six" because these clubs were the original six teams that molded the NHL to become what it is today.  During World War II, many hockey players in the league dropped out to be shipped away to fight against Hitler and to stop the genocide in Europe. During this time, many rookies got the chance to live their dream and to join part on a professional team. Years after the war in 1967, the league decided to add an addition of 6 more teams which doubled the size of the league. Gladly, this was the end of the Original Six era (more/new teams) and was also spectacular year for the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, it was also the beginning of a heartbroken curse. Although the Leafs won their 13th Stanley Cup that season, against the Montreal Canadians, this was their last playoff appearance till 2012. A "dry-streak", as I would call this, carried on for 45 years! I refer this to a curse and an embarrassment however; they still hold 2nd most Stanley Cups, and they're building new prospects of young athletes that will grow and become the next big team in a couple years. As they bring up players from their farm team, The Toronto Marlies, to play when players are injured or cannot make a game, Toronto is creating a strong fortification for years to come and giving these players the experience to play a game in the NHL.

     No matter what let down, true Leaf fans feel a passion that unites us all as one. The foundation of the NHL and the Original Six are two very important fragments that establish what hockey is today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hockey_League

Who's Your Favorite Hockey Team?Reply in the Comment Section! 

The Toronto Maple Leafs

 

     The Toronto Maple Leafs, the very team that I have been passionate for ever since I could walk. Becoming a Leafs enthusiast is almost like a tradition in my family, I was raised by my mother and father who are both Leaf's fans and my brother and sister also. When I was younger, me and my dad would watch nearly every game on the television in our basement cheering on our favorite players.

     The Toronto Maple Leafs seems to be more than just a team or a name to me, but my childhood heroes or idols. Even though I wasn't in any very competitive hockey league, I always dreamed of one day wearing a blue and white jersey and looking up to my fans. As a "House League Hero", I would always try to snatch my favorite player's numbers before anyone else could. One of my favorite players, when I was younger, was number 28, Tie Domi. My dad told me stories of when he was in high school and how he played against Domi in football games. As two high school students, my father never expected his opposing player to make it to the big leagues. As the Maple Leafs inspired me to love the game of hockey, I was also adapted to overcome all of the "bad talk" by many people who looked down on my favorite team. With 13 Stanley Cups under the Leaf's belt, they are ranked 2nd out of 30 teams, behind the Montreal Canadians, in the National Hockey League. [Wiki] Now if you ask me, that's not too shabby and I am proud to say that two Canadian teams lead the NHL with most Stanley Cups.

   
      I am inspired to write further blogs on the Toronto Maples Leafs because I feel I can return to the better days of my childhood and I can post facts on my favorite hockey team. I am very stoked to see how the Leafs will perform this season in the NHL.

Who's Your Favorite Hockey Team?
Reply in the Comment Section!