Other Thoughts: The Epic Highs and Lows of First Round Playoff Hockey
Welfare check on Justin Bieber?
For those missing the title reference:
We’re free from the throes of post-secondary education! At least for the next couple of weeks. Since April, our flight or fight response has been on high alert. We really don’t know what to do with ourselves other than nap and maybe stare at a wall for a while.
Speak for yourself, Gaby, haha! The MA journey never truly stops (urgh!) - Perrye.
Highlights of the First Round
Brad Marchand vs Tony Angelo
This scrum was like picking your poison - on the one hand, you’re rooting for an alleged bigot (hey legal), and on the other, you got Brad Marchand. Marchand continues to be the most chaotic figure in hockey, where everyone is constantly vacillating between adoration and bone-deep dislike. It’s so confusing. We find it a little ironic that it was a Boston crowd chanting “racist” when DeAngelo had the puck. Et tu, brute?
Flames/Dalles Game 7 + their Playoff Anthem - Win the cup from w i l d/ Virgin Radio Calgary
We’re so excited to see the Flames in the second round, but the true hero of Game 7 was Jake Oettinger. The 23-year-old goalie put up an outstanding 64 saves, single-handedly helping his team get to OT. Despite the sad outcome for the Stars, Oettinger should be proud of his performance. Between him and Jason Robertson, we’re very excited to see the future of the Dallas Stars. They just need to get rid of the bad vibes (cc: Bowness and Benn).
We’d also like to note the incredible energy Brady Tkachuk and the rest of that family have been putting out. One of the pleasant surprises of these playoffs. Gaby is even reconsidering her Matthew Tkachuk sounds like Ben Shapiro's stance.
This song inspired by Cardi B's UP has been making rounds as the “official” playoff song released by Virgin Radio.
The song is supposed to be bad in theory, but I gotta respect the creativity of the lyrics. The wordplay in the line “So what you’re gonna Dillon Dube about it?” is excellent, I fear. - Perrye
*stares in American disdain* - Gaby
Leafs were eliminated from the First Round Again.
Death, taxes, and the Toronto Maple Leafs being eliminated from the playoffs in a series-defining game. Honestly, we thought it would be funnier than it turned out to be. We got nothing else to say than sorry to the team and the fans. Though sports-induced heartache may seem silly to some, we know it’s all too real and all too painful. It was a great series like expected, but at what cost, y’all? Our bruja-senses (or at least Gaby’s) say this team has got to be cursed. We think they’ll probably have a very, uh, busy offseason.
Other thoughts, not playoffs related!
Digit Murphy Apologizes
Digit Murphy released a statement apologizing to the trans community for her involvement in the Women’s Sport Policy Working Group. For those unaware, in 2021, Murphy was revealed to be part of a transphobic organization. Their mission is to essentially ban trans girls and women from participating in competitive sports for the usual bullshit “biological advantage” reasons (which, for the record, is absolutely not true. There’s also a whole mix of Anti-Blackness involved in that particular narrative.) At the time, she was president of the PHF’s Toronto Six, and after facing the backlash, the organization promised they would do better and engage in education or something. We can’t tell you more because we don’t actually know if they did anything?
We don’t want to speak too out of turn, but apologizing a whole ass year later and only when you’ve taken a new role seems inauthentic. Also, one would think that people would understand that “sorry if you were offended” isn’t the appropriate verbiage or sentiment in this day and age.
Because we’re still venturing into the WoHo space, we feel like it’s important to highlight the work of some of the folks we’re learning from:D.F. Pendrys:
Melissa Burgess (and the Victory Press, one of our faves):
Additionally, we would like to extend a truly heartfelt “fuck you” and an “I hope you choke” to any transphobes that may come across this. Liberation for all our trans siblings always.
Barry Trotz fired by NY Islanders
Another day, another wrong decision from Lou Lamoriello. The Islanders didn’t make the playoffs, so Lou felt the need to make drastic changes - check notes - 8 days after the end of the season. Lou thinks the players need a new voice but didn’t consult the players before firing Trotz. You know, the people constantly in contact with the head coach?
#Isles News: New York Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello announced today that Barry Trotz has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach.
#Isles Lou Lamoriello takes sole responsibility for the decision to relieve Barry Trotz of his coaching duties, says he didn’t consult with players.
We honestly don’t even know what to say to Lou except “retire, my guy.” You’re going to be *80* years old in October. Go spend time with your grandkids, at your cottage or something, but for the love of God, leave hockey alone!
On Monday, the team announced the replacement of Trotz with Lane Lambert, Trotz’s former assistant coach. They are definitely not reinventing the wheel or adding a new voice here, so we still don’t understand what Lou is trying to do.
As for Trotz, we’re not worried; he will be behind a new bench coming next fall. Winnipeg, perhaps?
Second Round Winners
First of all, we would like to mention that THWL has an excellent batting average when it comes to predicting the outcomes of the series. We told y’all it would be a game seven madness for most series!!
If you’re looking to do sports betting, we are definitely a reliable source (jk, ask us about the unethical nature of sports betting).
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Perrye’s pick: I genuinely hope the refs won’t show bias through their game management, and it will be a fair fight for the Panthers to win it in 7 games.
Gaby’s pick: Okay, so I know I said the Lightning was my chaos pick, but enough of that. Panthers in 7.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers
Perrye’s pick: Canes in 7 since they seem to only play well (and win) when they’re at home! Also, Frederik Andersen is supposed to come back during this round, so hopefully, it will help them against a solid Igor Shesterkin.
Gaby’s pick: Canes in 5. The Rangers faced a significantly injured Penguins team, including a totally-not-concussed Sidney Crosby. Also, justice for Antti Raanta, who absolutely should have had his name on the 2015 Stanley Cup.
Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues
Perrye’s pick: Avs in 6. They are more rested. Plus, y’all already know I don’t really vibe with the Blues.
Gaby’s pick: Is this what they mean when they say between a rock and a hard play? In the sense that I don’t care for either of these teams, of course. The underdog narrative that Avs have been pushing literally makes no sense. Just because you haven’t won a cup doesn’t mean you’re an underdog! But then you got the Blues, so… Avs in 5.
Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers
Perrye’s pick: Calgary in 7. As much as I’m excited for a Battle of Alberta series, I have more faith in Jacob Markstrom’s performance than in Mike Smith. Also, the vibes are generally better in Calgary.
Gaby’s pick: This series will be feral and fun, but the sports-related anxiety will be through the roof. Given Draisaitl’s apparent injury and Johnny Gaudreau’s excellent season, I’m gonna go with Calgary in 7 as well.
Shameless plug!
Perrye is researching identity & race in Canadian broadcasting for her MA, and she has a survey to share. You can expect to spend 10 mins on the survey if you fit the requirements.
If you, currently or previously, have held a job in Canadian broadcasting and are 18+, you’re qualified to answer the survey. A job may include, but is not limited to, talk show host, guest co-host, reporter, producer/assistant producer, copywriter, writer, sports broadcaster/announcer, freelancer, etc. To participate, please click on the following link: https://t.co/ZkefRCiKAU. Thank you!
We won’t be doing anything super serious until after the playoffs, so we’ll be back on Thursday to give our opinions on Hockey’s Very Own Met Gala: the WAGs’ playoff jackets.
Talk soon,
Gaby and Perrye