Killer squirrel?

I played my first round of the golf season this weekend at Vancouver's Fraserview Golf Club. It was an up and down day, but I was fairly pleased with my play.

I recently purchased a new R5 Taylor Made driver and it really agreed with my swing. There's a little rust still to wipe off in my game, but it was a great start to the year.

As for the killer squirrel...

As I prepared to tee off on the 8th hole a squirrel came down from a tree and ran towards me. Within moments, it was only a few feet away from me on the other side of my golf bag. I looked at him, he looked at me. After a few seconds had passed I jokingly asked him "what's up?". At that moment he went up on his hind legs and gave me the look you see in this posting. He even held it long enough for me to grab my camera and take this shot. Either he was challenging me to a fight or he was trying to intimidate me. Either way, it makes for a good photo.

Thanks to my friend Woosang for joining me on the course. Lots of fun, we'll do it again.

NHL Playoffs - Round Two Predictions

I went 7 for 8 with my Round 1 predictions in the NHL playoffs. So, let's see if my luck will continue in Round 2.

The Western Conference:

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs (5) San Jose Sharks
Thoughts: Year after year people pick the Sharks to go to the Cup and they disappoint. This will be no exception.
Pick: Red Wings in 6-games.

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs (3) Vancouver Canucks
Thoughts: The Ducks looked very good against the Wild. They are fast, strong, and have some scoring punch. The Canucks have Luongo - that will only go so far without some goals to accompany his play.
Pick: Ducks in 6-games.

The Eastern Conference:

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs (6) NY Rangers
Thoughts: The Rangers looked good against the Thrashers. The Sabres are no Thrashers.
Pick: Sabres in 5-games.

(2) New Jersey Devils vs (4) Ottawa Senators
Thoughts: This is the series to watch. Both teams are going strong, but the Devils usually find a way to come out on top and the Senators always find a way to fall short. It will be close...
Pick: Devils in 7-games.

Linden is money

Congratulations to the Vancouver Canucks on their hard fought 4-1 win in Game 7 tonight against the Dallas Stars. The Canucks were full value for their win, and Trevor Linden, Mr. Clutch himself, stepped up with the game winner.

On to round 2 - my picks will follow soon. Go Canucks Go!

It's over - "there's always next year"

My Calgary Flames went down in defeat tonight in double overtime to the Detroit Red Wings. It was an up and down year and to exit this early in the playoffs, with so much potential, is sad to say the least. I guess we're down to that old saying, "there's always next year".

Now it's "Go Canucks Go". As part of my bet with Proud BCer, here's my tribute to the Canucks. Let's hope they take it to the Stars tomorrow night!

Jekyll and Hyde

My Calgary Flames continued their Jekyll and Hyde routine today by losing 5-1 to the Detroit Red Wings.

The Flames, who looked so good on home ice the last two games, looked awful on the road today. They started off the first period well, but it was all down hill from there. The only good news, the game tomorrow is at home.

It's a new series!

My Calgary Flames made their playoff series a best of 3 tonight with a 3-2 win over the Detriot Red Wings. I only hope the Flames team that appeared at home these last two games can actually reappear on the road the same way in Motown...

That's more like it!

After two lackluster performances by my Calgary Flames in Game 1 and 2 of their series with the Detroit Red Wings, they finally looked like they should tonight winning 3-2 at home. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come...fingers crossed!

As for you Canucks fans out there, nice win against Dallas tonight. Looks like you're in good shape to take that series in five or six games.

NHL Playoffs - Round One Predictions

We've entered that exciting annual time in every Canadian's life, playoff hockey! Here are my predictions for the first round...

The Western Conference:

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs (8) Calgary Flames
Thoughts: The Flames always play well against the Wings and should prove more than a match for the Western Conference #1. My Flames will grind those Wings down in a hard fought series.
Pick: Flames in 6-games.

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs (7) Minnesota Wild
Thoughts: Minnesota does well in 4-on-4 overtime and in shootouts. Neither apply in the playoffs.
Pick: Ducks in 5-games.

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) Dallas Stars
Thoughts: Marty Turco's playoff ghosts come back, Luongo is up to the challenge.
Pick: Canucks in 6-games.

(4) Nashville Predators vs (5) San Jose Sharks
Thoughts: Evenly matched teams, but Nashville might have peaked too early.
Pick: Sharks in 7-games.

The Eastern Conference:

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs (8) NY Islanders
Thoughts: The Islanders have been up and down all year. This series will be more down than up.
Pick: Sabres in 5-games.

(2) New Jersey Devils vs (7)Tampa Bay Lightning
Thoughts: Brodeur has another good run in him, Tampa can't keep the puck out of their own net. Bad combination.
Pick: Devils in 5-games.

(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs (6) NY Rangers
Thoughts: Two teams that would probably not be in the playoffs had they been in the Western Conference. The Rangers might just win a playoff series.
Pick: Rangers in 6-games.

(4) Ottawa Senators vs (5) Pittsburgh Penguins
Thoughts: After a long playoff absence, Pittsburgh and Crosby are "just happy to be here".
Pick: Senators in 5-games.

On to the playoffs!

With a loss by the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night, my Calgary Flames clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. (Although they didn't fair too well against the Avalanche in their game Sunday night, many of Calgary's stars were resting up for the Stanley Cup run.)

I had the luxury of watching my Calgary Flames down the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 last weekend at GM Place. Taking in the game with a number of friends was certainly a treat, and it was made all the more so by the Flames win. Had they lost I'm sure the razzing I would have received would have been horrible!

I'll have more to say on the playoffs soon, so stay tuned!