There's no failure, only early attempts at success. - Guru Pitka

I saw The Love Guru yesterday afternoon. It was pretty much exactly what I expected. There were some great parts and some really bad parts. Gross humor, slapstick, celebrity cameos, spoofs, etc. It was sort of like Wayne's World 2 meets a blend of the Austin Powers trilogy (especially Goldmember). Overall, I liked the movie and enjoyed myself.

Everyone played their part really well from Myers (Guru Pitka) to Alba (hottie Leaf owner Jane Bullard) toTimberlake (French Cdn goalie Jacques Le Coq Grande) to Troyer (Coach Cherkov) to Kingsley (Guru Tugginmypudha).

People will rip this movie and rip Myers for creating a new character that is too similar to Austin Powers. Myers is right up near the top of movie franchise actors - Wayne's World, Austin Powers, and Shrek. He takes another stab at a franchise character with Guru Pitka. I mean the possibilities are endless if the box office numbers will support it. The formula is easy. Two characters need relationship help. Guru Pitka to the rescue. 1.5 hours of nonsense. Personally, I hope it doesn't go the franshise route. I'd rather see Myers do a movie that looks more like So I Married an Axe Murderer than Austin Powers - Goldmember. Let's hope Myers sees The Love Guru as an early attempt at franchise success and create something different.

5 Headlines that hit me....

1. Cito Gaston is back as Manager of the Blue Jays - I think that's cool and I was sorry he ever left. I didn't know much about Gibbons. My friend sounds heart broken about him getting the boot. Let's continue bringing classic Jays. I'm sure Tony Fernandez can still start a double play.

2. Strahan shoots mouth off on Shockey - Hmmm....retired Giant spouts of on current Giant to make splashy debut for network TV. Sound familiar? It's as original as a Don Imus racist comment.

3. Tampa Bay hires Barry Melrose - after drafting Stamkos and locking Lecavalier in for life you would think the Bolts were positioned well to regain credibility....and then they hire Barry Melrose. Get real.

4. Cliff Fletcher - getting all the dirty work done. It should be interesting to see what happens come July 1 with the Leafs. My money says they give a PR type contract offer to Sundin. Enough that saves face but not enough for Mats to consider especially when you consider Fletcher has no intention on assembling a playoff calibre team. The Leafs will miss the playoffs and could likely finish last overall. I say this because I can't see them having a big free agent shopping spree and they just don't have enough NHL calibre players on the current roster. Throw in the fact they play in a division where 3 teams made the playoffs and you have a disaster.

5. Fantasty Football - I received my notice that the league I was in is up and running. I think it was the same day that my potential RB keeper, Marshawn Lynch, was expected to reach a plea with the Buffalo DA for a HIT AND RUN! Yikes! Roger Goddell could have a field day on this guy.

3 Games Below .500

Team Couch continues to drop ball games as the temperature rises in Winnipeg. Lefty Cooter was on the mound last night and turned in a well pitched ball game but it wasn't enough as Couch surrendered a last inning lead to lose the ball game.

Despite the lose it was another close game and there is plenty of ball still to be played including the all important tournament (say it like the Karate Kid does...it's more fun that way).

A New Slugger in the Family

I love Winnipeg but I do miss my family in Brandon. I wish I had seen my niece Emily play ball this season. She just finished her first baseball tournament last week-end. I'm told she went 2 for 3 in the Gold Medal game but her team - the Racers - dropped the final game after going 3-0 leading up to the final.

Check out Emily at the plate. Look closely at the upright stance with the bat held high, feet not too far apart but slightly open, imposing her height on the opponent, head square to the pitcher, etc...you can tell she is coached well. In emailing my brother today we agreed she had a similar stance as Andres Galarraga (check the photo below). The Big Cat was a fan favorite of ours when he was playing with the Montreal Expos. The Cat would later play stints in Colorado, Atlanta, and a few other places. Back to E's picture...check out a few other things..1 - the catcher looks as if a bench coach is relaying in signs for pitch selection. I seriously doubt it but I'm going to run with that thought. 2 - I feel badly that the third base player is not paying attention because it would appear the little Cat may dead pull a ball and that could spell trouble.

-the little Cat

-the big Cat

Car Races with Grandpa

This past Saturday my son took his Grandpa Tim and I to Victory Lane Speedway just south of Winnipeg. It was an all out blast. I highly recommend ear protection. It's very very loud...but lots of fun.

NHL Entry Draft Review

Round 1 of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft is in the books. Here's my rundown:

1. Tampa Bay - Stamkos - I missed the first pick but really I didn't because I saw the NHL lottery draft before the playoffs started and that's really when we found out who would go first overall.

2. Los Angeles - Doughty - Great defenceman to add to last year's first rounder Thomas Hickey and young Jack Johnson. The Kings are set with blue chip prospects on the blue line.

3. Atlanta - Bogosian - Never heard of him but the TSN crew loved the pick. A theme that continued all night. Unlike last year where McGuire was slamming picks, this was a love fest.

4. St. Louis - Pietrangelo - Another defenceman from the OHL. Again, TSN loved the pick. I just don't get how both Pietrangelo and Bogosian were picked ahead of......

5. Toronto - Schenn - Cliff Fletcher traded with New York Islanders to move up and grab Luke Schenn. He's a rock solid defenceman that has logged a lot of minutes at a very high level with Hockey Canada and the Kelowna Rockets. It's easy to hate the Leafs but Schenn will make it a little more difficult to do it.

6. Columbus - Filatov - Welcome to Columbus where you are guaranteed to only play 82 games a year.

7. Nashville - Wilson - Son of former NHLer Carey Wilson. An American college guy with a Winnipeg connection. He looks like a rock solid physical guy. The Preds have shown a trend to go with American players.

8. Phoenix - Boedker - I think he's Danish but played in Kitchener. Gretzky thinks he can play sooner than later. Good luck. The bigger news was the Coyotes getting Ollie Jokinen from the Panthers for Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton. Seems like a steal for the Desert Dogs. I loved Gretzky's analysis of the deal...something like...We like our young guys (i.e Turris, Hanzel, Mueller) but Jokinen gives us a big centre to go up against Getzlaf, Thornton, Modano....It just makes so much sense to worry about your divisional opponents.

9. Islanders - Bailey - Commentary and video of this guy didn't wow me. Garth Snow better hope this guy has a long productive career because Luke Schenn will.

10. Vancouver - Hodgson - Character and leadership guy to replace Trevor Linden....yikes...I guess the new GM there doesn't plan on scoring any more goals than the last guy wanted to.

I'll stop at the top 10 but not before pointing out some other interesting picks...

13. Los Angeles - Teubert - feisty rock solid defenceman from the Regina Pats. Man, talk about stocking up on D.

15. Ottawa - Karlsson - slick puck moving defenceman. Great interview with Duthie and Murray after this pick. Murray went on about Cup Winners needing a slick puck moving defenceman. Duthie calls him out on last year's comment when Murray said Cup Winners need big guys. How about setting a trend Murray instead of following one.

16. Boston - Colborne - worst comparison ever by the TSN crew...to Joe Thornton.. because he has the same frame and makes plays behind the net and had long hair like Thorton and talks/sounds like him..geez...plus it reminded Bruins fans that they HAD Thornton until one of the worst trades of all time (but not the worst).

18. Preds - Chet Pickard - great name....great name.

22. Oilers - Eberle - 2nd Regina Pat taken in the first round. Nice day for the Pats. This pick was a gong show with Glen Anderson giving some sort of tribute to a former Oiler scout with classic hockey player cliches.

24. Devils - Tedenby - The Devils added some picks by trading down a few times then went after this small speedy forward. Lou and his scouting staff better produce some players from recent drafts to hold onto their elite draft/scouting status. Only two players from their last three drafts have played NHL games so far and it's basically a meaningless total...8 games played.

28. Phoenix - Tikhonov - Grandson of the legendary Soviet Coach. Gretzky thinks this guy can play now. So with both picks Gretzky went after guys he thinks he can insert into the lineup...here's a thought Wayner...why not trade those two first round picks for a proven player if win now is the philosophy.

30. Red Wings - McCollum - The Champs pick a goalie....not something they are very good at. You have to go all the way back to '91 when they picked current starter Chris Osgood. Lots of stabs at it since '91 with no success. Picking goalies is difficult but the Wings need the depth there and will make up for reaching on a goalie with a sleeper on Day 2. Plus they can count on Ozzy for another season until Ryan Miller becomes a free agent.

NHL Draft Preview

The NHL Entry Draft is Friday June 20th. Last year's draft highlight turned out to be the Bill Simmons "Kudos to the NHL" draft review. I'd really love to see a 2008 review but Simmons is probably too busy celebrating the Celtics championship.

I know less each year about the prospects heading into the draft. I greatly miss watching the Wheat Kings in Brandon. I don't get to see the top junior kids from the WHL anymore. I have seen Wheat King defenseman Colby Robak play a few games as well as forward Matt Calvert. Both will be selected this week-end. Robak could go in the first round and be the highest Wheat King taken since Eric Fehr was selected by the Capitals 18th overall in 2003 (side note - I already consider that one of the best drafts ever and it just continues to build momentum. 1983 is another favorite). Robak has the size at 6'3 - 202 and skates well and has good offensive skill. The team that drafts Calvart will get a solid player. He scored 25 goals for the Wheat Kings and played on a line with rookie sensation Brayden Schenn ('09 draft class - sure first rounder). Calvart has a "great motor" as NFL scouts like to say about their prospects. I'm going to apply it for hockey in Calvart's case. I've only seen him play a handful of games but he always played at 100% and created a lot on the ice. He's not big at 5'9 - 172 but that doesn't seem to matter in the NHL today.

Aside from the Wheat King connection, seeing who the Bruins select is something I am interested in. I cheered for the Bruins faithfully in my adolescent years and I guess you could say the Black and Gold are still "my team". Their track record in the first round isn't great so I don't have high hopes for the B's first selection. Their recent first rounders include:

Zach Hamill (8th)
Phil Kessel (5th)
Matt Lashoff (22nd)
Mark Stuart (21st)

TSN mock draft has the B's selecting Tyler Cuma, D, Ottawa...never heard of him.....like most of the players listed in the mock draft.

Then there's watching the draft to see if any big name players get traded. I guess there's a wild rumor that Malkin is on the move but Bob Mackenzie shoots that down here.

Finally, I'd love to see Brian Burke make a smart remark regarding his selection at #12 - the compensation pick he was awarded when Kevin Lowe and the Oilers scooped Restricted Free Agent Dustin Penner from the Ducks last season and overpaid him. I don't think Burke will but you can never predict what he will say. The Oilers actually finished strong and avoided embarrassment. At one point in the season some people thought the Oilers were going to tank and Burke would have had a shot at a very high pick.

At the very least the draft should be somewhat interesting and hopefully TSN does a decent job covering it and I can raise my Bud Light and say, "Kudos".

Couch Drops 2 More

Team Couch dropped two games below .500 after a pair of losses this week in MARBLE action.

In both games Couch got behind early and had to play catch up. Both games also featured a few poor defensive innings that cost Couch since their bats continue to be a touch soft to overcome the costly runs against.

Despite the losses Couch had some very good plays including a towering home run by C-Foot and some hard hit balls by the girls.

Next action is June 25th.

Borsheim Injured

Former Wheat King Les Borsheim was injured in a motorcylce accident.

Not good. There is an update/recovery fund site set up here.

Borsheim was the one side in the most one sided hockey fight I ever saw at the Keystone Centre. He was 16 playing in the Wheat King season opener against the Regina Pats in 1996 and did a number on some unfortunate Pat (I think Joey Beauvier). Let's hope Les can win the fight he's in now.

Father's Day at the Downs

WIN-dy night for Team Couch

Team Couch was able to get in their game before the rain came and earned a win to get back to .500 on the year.

The real weather concern was the extreme wind. Mother Nature made routine pop outs a comedy of errors and awkward catches. TC prevailed and will look to get back to over .500 next week.

A victory celebration of wings and beer was had after the game in Charleswood at The Thirsty Lion Tavern in the Park West Inn. The 2 year old Scooter was busted for being underage. He was allowed to stay and have his hot chocolate and even have some food. So you could say it was wins all around on Wednesday night for Team Couch.

100% Chance....

The weather forecasters are feeling very confident today.....

11 degrees
Rain at times heavy
100% P.O.P. - close to 15 mm of rain tonight

Team Couch baseball tonight is in jeopardy.

From One Shark Tank Into Another

"My goal is obviously to win a Stanley Cup, personally," Wilson said Monday. "The team I was coaching in San Jose was starting to knock on that door. We're nowhere near as close with the Maple Leafs organization." - Ron Wilson, new head coach of the Leafs.

You got that right Ron!

I actually think this is a good move for the Leafs. Wilson has had success in the NHL and he's a guy that can handle the media circus of Toronto. I can't stand the guy so it fits with me too since I can't stand the Leafs.

Work & Play

Detroit Red Wings - 2008 Stanley Cup Champions

"I watched Steve Yzerman win it as our captain, and I'm very proud to be captain of the Detroit Red Wings and to win the Stanley Cup again." - Nicklas Lidstrom

ASSiniboine Kicking

Two games in three days was too much for Team Couch to handle as the Assiniboine Clinic put on a hitting clinic to set Couch's winning percentage back under .500. Team Couch now stands at 2-3 after the two loss week.

The game featured some very hard hit balls by the Assiniboine hitters including a moon shot home run off of Cooter. Team Couch bats could not respond and littered the game with costly 2 out errors and base running gaffes. There was also a violent outfield collision between C-Foot and Dubba Dees.

Team Couch will try to even up their record next week when they take on the veteran Neds at Blumberg. The game is a 6:30 PM start which means Couch will have Scooter the rally monkey on the bench for a boost.

Penguins Make Things Interesting

"I think it's natural to feel bad for yourself for a bit, but this is the Stanley Cup playoffs. It's supposed to be a battle, and we're in one." - Mike Babcock.

Fly Catchers Live Up To Name

The veteran Fly Catchers handed Team Couch it's second loss of the year ending Couch's 2 game win streak. Well placed hitting complimented by forcing the Couch batters to shallow pop fly ball outs was the winning formula for the Fly Catchers in the 16-7 win.

The game didn't quite have the same Blumberg feel as the Umpire failed to show up and the lights were slow to come on as the sun went down.

Team Couch looks to rebound quickly this Wednesday in a return to Blumberg. Hopefully their bats and the Umpire will show up this time.