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Entries for January 27, 2008
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WOW!!
Posted by Les Lazaruk on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 01:51:00 PM.
REGINA - I guess it's a good thing I spoke to my wife this morning and found out she still loves me! The next thing will be to speak with my friends and acquaintances and make sure we're still cool!!
I would next say, "lol", but this is no laughing matter. To say that there is unhappiness and unrest amongst Saskatoon Blades' supporters is to put it mildly. I guess I put myself in the cross-hairs by choosing to defend the Brodsky family ownership of the team, by explaining what I see as being the situation, as I see it, within the hockey club.
It seems, based on further responses to my pre-Christmas post a couple down, that many folks don't want to hear explanations or rationale...they've had enough!
As much as I don't agree with that attitude, I do respect it. I will apologize to "Season Ticket Holder" for going off on him. It was unprofessional of me to do so...as one responder stated. I made an assumption that "Season Ticket Holder" was a particular person who was anonymously phoning "Boots and Salutes" on CJWW and taking shots at the ownership of the team, as well as G-M and head coach Lorne Molleken. I object to people who take their shots anonymously...I do respect people who come on here to respond to this blog and put their names up beside it. I will point out that I didn't refer to anyone as "a moron"...I was actually called that. And, that's fine...if that's the heat I have to take, trust me I can take it. I've been in the sports media for a long time (actually, Wheat King fan, I remember what it was like in Brandon back in the 80s when I worked there...there's quite a few similarities to the way fans there felt back then about the Wheaties compared to the ones here now with the Blades!)
When it comes to the players, I speak with them on a fairly regular basis and I don't feel as though they are measuring me for physical harm. From what I can see, they are disappointed with the season and realize they must shoulder responsibility and accountability for it...just as Lorne Molleken does.
Once again, as I've stated before, I was invited to do this blog and wasn't certain if I wanted to. Since I'm not a coward and never been one to back away from a discussion, I will continue blogging. I'm not going to quit my job, either. I enjoy it, even with this situation. I don't feel I'm a "Know-It-All", but I do have access to people within the team and within the league...from where I base my opinions. They aren't always correct...I've been wrong before and I'm sure I will be again. So, future blogs will attempt to provide room for response as to what I offer...both in terms of facts and opinions. I look forward to hearing more from readers of the blog...which I'm told gets the most traffic on the Blades' website of any area that can be viewed!
I will also implore those of you who are regular attendees of Blades' home games, who have concerns about the direction of the hockey club, to seek out president Jack Brodsky. Whether you are satisfied with what he says or not, he is approachable and willing to explain what he and his family thinks regarding the ownership of the team and the direction the on-ice product is going in. If you're still thinking an ownership change or other changes in the hockey operations are required, that is your opinion and you are entitled to it.
Now, let's see how the Blades do tonight in Regina after last night's good effort in Moose Jaw. The 3-2 shootout loss was punctuated by two great goals in the shootout...Ondrej Fiala for the Blades and Ty Wishart's winner for the Warriors. I know it's likely a little late, but the Blades are 4-3-0-1 in their last 8 games. They've out-shot their opponents in six of the eight games and tied Prince Albert in shots in the only game in which they stunk during the eight (in my humble opinion) when they lost 5-1. Otherwise, they've been out-scored 19-18 in the eight games while out-shooting oppoents 242-215. The power play is 10-44 in that time while opponents are just 4-42 with the man advantage. Scoring goals...especially at even strength...continues to be a source of frustration for the Blades. I look forward to reading thoughts as to why scoring is so difficult for this group. My first thought is that maybe the team isn't as talented as we were led to believe, although I also feel their relative youth and inexperience plays a part in it as well.
Your turn...I'm going to check if I've been cooked thoroughly and evenly from the heat I've taken!