Since Team Canada's recent performance is too depressing to talk about, here's a little thing from Thursday's Toronto Star:
Passing Fancy: Czech Republic defenceman Tomas Kaberle is often criticized in Toronto for not shooting the puck enough but he had little choice yesterday when he found himself alone in the slot with the puck twice against Germany. He scored both times. "I was there pretty much alone so I had to take the shot. But if I get someone in a better position, I'll pass the puck for sure probably," he said.
"For sure probably"?! LOL His English has greatly improved, but still isn't quite perfect!
In other news, my long-anticipated meeting with Kaberle (March 5 at Frozen Pond) may be in jeopardy thanks to the stupid snow storms in Barrie/Orillia this weekend.
The church high school youth group I am a counselor for was scheduled to have a winter retreat this weekend, but since we had to pass Barrie to get there, and the OPP was issuing travel warnings to avoid driving to that area, we ended up having to cancel the retreat. We were lucky enough to be able to rebook the site, but the re-scheduled dates are March 3-5!!! And if there aren't enough counselors on the trip (this time we would've had 6, but now we're down to 4 maximum, with two of them unconfirmed and the only other confirmed counselor also needing to get back early) so it might not be possible for me to go!!
I don't know if I'm sad, upset or pissed off at this turn of events. Actually, I may be feeling a little bitter. It wasn't completely our (the counselors') decision to cancel the trip this time, so I'm feeling rather resentful that I may now have to sacrifice this event that I've been anticipating since NOVEMBER for a decision that I didn't even make.
Who is Team Czech's leading goal-scorer after their first game in Torino? That's right, TOMAS KABERLE and not, as most would expect Jagr!! Woohoo! Of course, it's only been one game, and I'm sure this statistic won't last, but that won't change the fact that Kaberle scored the first two goals of the game for the Czechs in their 4-1 victory over the German team.
Bet John Ferguson Jr. is feeling pretty pleased with himself right now! That reminds, me, actually, is it just me, or does it seem like Kaberle has started to learn to shoot more? I started noticing it when McCabe was out (but was too busy/pre-occupied to write about it at the time), and was surprised to see the trend continue (albeit to a lesser degree) even after McCabe's return. And clearly I feel that Kaberle's performance in this opening Olympic game supports this opinion/view.
Let's just hope that Kablere carries whatever momentum he picks up from the Olympics back to the sad-sack Leafs!
Speaking of Olympic implications for the NHL season, it's probably really mean of me, but I'm rather pleased that Hasek got himself injured. I'm sure Vokoun will do fine for the Czechs, and Ottawa can't be pleased with this development. Northeast Division teams, on the other hand, are probably singing "Hallelujah" choruses. =P
"Fasel unhappy with NHLers skipping Torino" (TSN.ca)
"It is disappointing that some NHL stars are skipping the Winter Olympics," the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation said Saturday.
Rene Fasel said the Games are an opportunity to showcase the sport and its best players.
''This is a platform here,'' said Fasel. ''The Olympics Games - 3.2 billion TV spectators, 200 countries.
''If we want to show our game to the world and make this promotion for hockey, for the game, for the NHL, for the IIHF, for the teams, this is the best place in the world.
''I would tell anyone who has this egoism just to work for their own team or their own profit, they should forget that. I think maybe we need more discussions with the NHL.''
I'd have to say that I very much disagree with Fasel's comment that the decision to skip the Olympics is a matter of simple egoism and/or profit. Has he never heard of professionalism?
Yes, it is an honour for NHLers to compete for their country, but it's their JOB to play for their NHL teams. It's a matter of professionalism, and, I'd even go so far as to say ethics that players keep themselves healthy for NHL games.
It's like teacher-coaches. Teachers are paid to teach students; they volunteer to coach. So as good as extra-curricular activities are, and as much as teachers may love them, they shouldn't overwork themselves coaching at the expense of teaching because they were hired to teach. That's not a matter of ego or profit, it's professionalism.
And I'd say it's the same thing for hockey players. They have an ethical/moral responsibility to fulfil their obligations to their NHL teams to the best of their ability. If that means passing up on the amazing opportunity to play for their country in a world showcase, well, I may wish differently, but I won't criticize them for the decision.
WOOHOO!!!!!! I am beyond ecstatic at the news that Kaberle has signed a contract extension with the Leafs for FIVE YEARS!!!!! Best of all, TSN's sources (see "Leafs lock up Kaberle for five years") say that he's got an unconditional no trade clause for the first three years of the contract!!
There hasn't been much in regards to the Leafs to be happy about this year, but one of the things is Kaberle's performance and now this!! SO HAPPY!!
"Tomas represents a core part of our organization and we rely on him to play in all situations," general manager John Ferguson said. "Tomas figured to be one of the young premier free agents in the offseason we are pleased that he is committed to being a big part of our future success." (Source: NHL.com)
