It’s my Parting Shot for some Weekend Short Shots…..

I know I’ve mellowed in my old age when I shake my head with disapproval at the start of game, five-on-five line brawl between the Rangers and New Jersey on Wednesday night (pictured). It was a scene that was probably better suited to be held in the “felt forum” a few floors below ice level at Madison Square Garden. Actually, I was okay with what happened until I saw Rangers’ head coach Peter Laviolette head over to engage in conversation with his Devils’ counterpart Travis Green. If Laviolette didn’t like that Green put out five guys whose hands are better used for punching than shooting and scoring, Laviolette should’ve put out his best players and scored goals against the inferior line-up, not belly-ache because he put five scrappers out as well! You do know that the home team picks their starting line-up after the visitors, right?!

Let’s see, a new season has started, but the Blue Jays are still offensively-challenged for some peculiar reason. They were no-hit by Ronell Blanco of Houston on Monday, in his eighth career Major League start. Plus, Toronto has scored just three runs on only 13 hits in their four losses so far and have a team batting average below the Mendoza line at .179 through their first seven games. Plus, they’ve got injuries on their pitching staff. Remind me how and why Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins are still in charge?!

The gap is slowly, but surely narrowing in talent and calibre of play between the powers of women’s hockey – Canada and the United States – compared with the rest of the world. However, I still think the Women’s World Hockey Championship should be a best-of-seven series between the Canucks and Americans to decided Gold and Silver medals while the other eight countries play for the bronze!

See you at the rink tonight – that’s as much as I’m willing to commit to for this weekend!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!…..