Hockey Pool!!! And the Oscars

Who wants in the march madness tourny I'm holding this year? E-mail me and i'll send ya the link to sign up. Who wants in my NHL fantasy pool next year, b/c i'm firing one up on yahoo

Bet $$$ -- bling!

Who is your early fave's to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tourny this year? I haven't been looking at the standings yet. But i'd like to hear your picks and send an e-mail jessethomas21@hotmail.com if your interested in the march madness pool

The Oscars are on tonight. Not saying i'll be watching them. But maybe. I dunno. I did see one film that was nominated "the Fighter" with Mark Whalberg playing Mickey Ward and Christian Bale plays Dicky, Micky's older half-brother.

There are a few hilarious scenes and there is good action not all just in the ring either. As far as the fights go they had creative touches with some unique camera angles punches being thrown and puches being taken, hard and fast "bang-bang" "punch-punch" and then there were some slow mo looks too that were really cool to see.

Wahlberg's Character Mickey falls in love and wins some fights and looses some family for a bit and his brother tries to make a comback to boxing and a film crew follows him around and he thinks he's famous. Its a good movie. Although, Wahlberg's character doesn't fight Arturo Gatti - the movie ends before that point (Remember in real life all three of those incredible boxing matches between Ward and Gatti? They were slug-fest's) see link for actual fights

To Christian Bale's character Dicky, the film is much about his battle's with addiction. Dicky has a movie crew following him around, they are filming a movie about addiction but Dicky thinks its about his comeback. The drugs have muddled his brain so much he thinks he is making a comeback to professional boxing comeback. Christian Bale is a convincing actor he truly looks fucked up. At one point near the end of the movie Dicky is in jail and the film is finished and premiering on National television. The suspense is thick. Its a great movie. There is a love story between Amy Adams character falls in love with Mickey. He has one crazy mother and seven or eight sisters I believe they all live in one house too. There are some trully over the top funny scenes of the girls all fighting with Adams character - the sisters and mother think aAdams is "yoko ono" a character who is stealing Mickey away. The actress Melissa Leo will win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

I haven't scene too many other films. I am looking forward to seeing True Grit come out and also a documentary about a graphitti artist known as banksy.

Stay positive all'

Those Mickey Ward and Arturo fights are just slug fests in real life. We didn't see Mickey's character played by Whalburg fight Arturo in the movie -- maybe there is a sequel (I doubt it) But they probably could make a movie about Arturo Gatti - his death is still suspicious after being found dead in Brazil.

Head Shots and Line Brawls. Enough is enough!

The rash of NHL line brawls that followed the All-Star break has been settling down. Following an outcry by Pen's Owner Mario Lemieux. Saying he was questioning his future partnership with the NHL is the fighting and brawling didn't stop. For a stretch of games it seemed there was a brawl each night. There was the Pen's and the Isles in their two game punch up and the Habs vs Boston. All the brawls would happen with under 4 mintues to go in the game and the score would be greater than 2 goals in favour of one side. It was getting so bad between Pitsburgh and New York that it forced Pen's owner Super Mario Lemieux to write a letter of disgust to the NHL Commissioner, disappointed with the mockery of the game on the ice. The scene from the final minutes when the last brawl broke out, was reminiscent of the movie "Slapshot" with Paul Newman acting as player/coach Reg Dunlop, who led the Hnason Brother's and other in goons in a fashion of hockey described as Old time 'Eddy Shore hockey" It was more like a roller derby from hell.

As Lemieux rethinks his involvement with the NHL. It appears the NHL will not fine the owner for his remarks. Some how I am not sure how the e-mail of Lemieux was leaked to the press. It also seems the entire NHL to the letter. Some people would say this kind of old time hockey is exciting. It admit it does get people out of their seats but finally enough is enough 4 an five different fights. It had gotten pathetic. To see as many players in the penalty box as there was across the ice in the players bench. I would ask Lemieux ,what he would consider suitable punishment?Are we talking multiple games and big fines. Who knows. I think to myself, the NHL does it want more WWE shenanigans, is this what will sell the game in parts of the US?. I agree with Mario, in the point that The NHL didn't do a good job dealing with this whole situation. My biggest point in concern, after the last brawl, the main instigator in the brawl Michael Haley jumps Maxime Talbot and following that fight he skated to the Pen's goalie Johnson and engaged in a fight with him. At that point the Pens enforcer Eric Goddard left the players bench to come to the aid of his goalie. Johnson if you remember earlier in the week was invloved in another brawl between the two teams and Johnson skated the length of the ice and fractured Dipietro's cheek bone with a one punch tko. Johnson was not suspended but Pen's Eric Goddard was given 10 games for leaving the bench. Haley the tough guy-no namer who got into two fights was assessed no suspension.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4FrNDkAYVY see the fights with the link

There was some bad blood between the two and it got vicious and then it got pathetic. The Habs and Bruins game the next night saw a similar scene of fight after fight and eventually a brawl. Fighting in hockey is allowed. Players serve a penalty usually 5 minutes for fighting. Players are then still allowed to play the game. Players are only handed out game misconductsn and tossed from the game when the fights happen before or after the whistle.

Like Mario I am disgusted with the sucker puches and lack of respect for other peoples and their career. It is a different situation when two players agree to square off in a fight. Usually the ref's know when to jump in and the players skate off into the penalty box sometimes giving each other a pat or kind gesture, acknowledging a good fight. Those kind of fights usually go between teams enforcers. That isn't the problem here. What's wrong is the head hunter hit's and the intent to injure plays. Where guys are trying to knock the other guy out. In hockey there is a fine line, when you allow fighting to be legal and the game being played with so much passion and emotion there is the opportunity for injury and things getting carried away. The bodrerline assault. Players like Todd Bertuzzi has ended a players career for stalking and sucker punch or Moore. Moore sued. It's no good when the league best player is on the side lines, concussed from a shoulder to the head. People will have to want either good clean hockey and to abolish fighting. Because fighting is a form of a head shot and head shots are dangerous and need to be out of the game. Some say with the speed and the size of the rink you will always have head shots. But I say players are extremely aware and can mke quick judgements moves in order to avoid of contact from the upper body to another players head. Its a physical sport and guys will get caught in awkward positions. But the respect for one another is missing.

Jubillation:Mubarak is Out

The Celebration-- would be my headline. For the people of Cairo and Egypt. What joy and jubilation in the story now. What a stand by the people. Revolution even more end to an 18 day protest and war. It was bloodied. The brutality of the overthrow was bad many had died. Wikileaks read 105 people were dead. I feel happy today especially for step forward for the lives of the people in Egypt.Many thought Mubarak was going to step down yesterday. But instead Mubarak tells the people he is staying. The population marched today to where mubarak was living and he stepped down. 18 days of mass protests and finally the uprising is over the people have won.

The people demonstrated peacefully with marches in the streets. After that we saw the images and things became chaotic. A curfew was imposed and the people and they refused refusing any wishes from Mubarak, they only wanted him to step down. Groups fighting each other. A war began. Images of the fighting were horrifying. A lot of combat fighting from Mbarak but the people were relentless and they were angry with the government corruption and other issues liek the massive unemployment. People should have the right to free speech and they want an election system that is rid of any tampering. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has power of government. We will watch for what happens next.

Great step forward for the people of Egypt

Now, A toast, a cheers; Here's to Egypt, you'll never be the same

Delighted to see the joy and courageousness of the people

Psst!...Quebec, If you build it a team will come, and Fisher Traded to Music City

NHL Hockey News - How about the Nordiques coming back to Quebec? I think Colorado Avalanche are safe but then maybe we'll see Quebec get the Phoenix Coyotes. I know the Conservative Party in Quebec are supporting the idea of bringing a team back. The obstacle seems to be a building to play in. They need a new Coliseum or pronounced in french (Coli'see'-Ko-li-zay) I believe the NHL should relocate a struggling franchise like the NY Islanders to Canada. Canadians are passionate about Hockey and so are many of the Quebec'ers. This idea is fully supported by the conservatives. We have all seen the TV images of the french Conservatives in Nordique sweaters, promising a team and taking many friendly pictures with their names on the back of the jerseys. Those french conservatives better hope a team does come because you could bet those conservative MP's will lose their seat next election if they don't. If Quebec gets a team, then 'bye-bye' Winnipeg chances. No more Jets talk. We know for sure Balsilie won't get a team after he Tri-Cities and Hamilton bid when he wanted to buy the Coyotes. Why not bring an NHL team to Peterborough (joking)?

Relating with Peterborough, there is news of Mike Fisher being traded from Ottawa to the Nashville Predators. Fisher wasn't available for comment but Ottawa will lose a favourite. But they get something significant in return. How about a 2011 first round pick and as well a conditional 2nd or 3rd round pick in 2012, which round depends on their playoff performance. Fisher was a second round pick 44th overall in 1998. Fisher plays every game as if it was his last. He has shown a scoring touch but is more recognized for his strong two way play. He can win face-offs, dig and play valuable minutes on the power play and penalty kill. He will fit in with Nashville. Infact, he already has. We all know Fisher married Nashville recording artist Carrie Underwood. This kind of deal could not of worked out better for the couple. Fisher already has friends there. Hopefully he can remain healthy and play for many more years. He has battled injuries throughout his career. The stats for Fisher, he has 521 penalty minutes and 324 points in 620 career games. For Underwood, she is one of the biggest stars in country music today. She is massively successful. She is the highest grossing artist to win American Idol. Second is Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson is third. Can you tell I love idol? Don't laugh.

Keeping with money and back to Quebec. I believe that the "Belle" Province is rich enough to support an NHL franchise. Of all the 10 provincial economies Quebec has had one of the strongest surviving economies. Here's the kicker the province of Quebec needs a new Coliseum and once they have that built, its now the understanding , then the team will come. Who will build the Arena and what do you think?

Live from Las Vegas. Where I am covering the UFC 126.

It's a big weekend in Vegas. Not only is the UFC 126 going down at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Vegas. It is also SuperBowl 45. There are guys everywhere running around in Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys everywhere you look. I have talked to some guys who are here for both the UFC and the Super Bowl and some guys are just here to make some bets on the football and watch the game in Vegas. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest days of betting in Vegas. Even though the Super Bowl has never been hosted in Vegas, it still draws thousands down to Vegas. This year it is being played in Texas, of course and the Packers are 2 points favoured. Being the first time Pittsburgh is playing in the Super Bowl as the underdog. I am going to bet the Steelers this year. Even though the Packers have been the hottest team in Football in last half of the season and the playoffs. I believe the Steelers big game experience will make the difference in the big game.

Over to the fights, Anderson Silva vs Viltor Belfort in the main event. They say if Silva wins he will likely fight St. Pierre next. Silva is the longest reining champion in UFC history. Both he and Belfort are Brazilian Jii-Jitsu Black Belts. This should be the an impressive fight and I predict Silva will win in a split decision. In the Forest Griffin and Rich Franklin fight (the only two guys fighting tonight without a tattoo) will have two Americans fighters trained in Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu but both like to stand toe to toe and brawl. I predict Griffin will win by tko. Then we have the treat watching the up and comer, Jon "Bones" Jones take on undefeated Ryan Bader. Bader can do damage. He is strong as a Bull but Jones has 10 inches of reach over Bader. But Bader will look to get inside and use his knockout power. There is great hype building with "Bones" Jones he is an up-and-comer MMA scene. He has a thrilling and imaginative fighting technique. He has fought 12 times and is 11-1. His one loss coming by disqualification for firing illegal straight down elbows. I predict "Bones" will come out with a tko victory.

I am off to the pool for a swim and then to the Casino for some action.

Enjoy the Big Weekend!