SABRES AND BRUINS

In follow up to my posting from last night, the Boston Bruins came back to defeat the Buffalo Sabres in double overtime. Final score: 3-2.

That is too bad, as the puck was clanged off the Bruins' net's crossbar in the first overtime period. Missed it by that much.

After the game, and with bleary eyes, I looked up the rosters of both ice hockey clubs. I learned some interesting facts: There are twice as many Canadians with the Bruins as there are with the Sabres. Buffalo has almost an even split between Canadian and U.S. players. There is a German-born player on each team. That I did not know. I did know that ice hockey has been played professionally in Germany for decades, but was not aware of so many Germans playing in the NHL (National Hockey League).

Which reminds me: Ice Hockey is much more successful covering the world than is North American football. For some reason we, over on this continent, think that is not the story. I have heard that a few attempts have been made to have "Football" take hold in Europe, but mostly to no avail.

Basketball has done well in that area, but that is simply because it is easy to set up and very cheap to play. After all, Basketball is as dull as dried-dung. Which reminds me: I was walking down Bloor Street, here in Toronto, with a friend a few years ago, where we were stopped by a young couple who had a pair of tickets for a (Toronto) Raptors basketball game. The conversation went like this...

COUPLE
We have two tickets for a Raptors game tonight... we can't make it so we are trying to get rid of them. Would you like them?

US
No thanks.

COUPLE
They're free.

US
No thanks, we don't like basketball.

COUPLE
No problem. We've walked from Spadina (We were at Bathurst which is about a five-ten minute walk) trying to unload them and no one wants them.

US
There's a garbage container right over there. (Just kidding, we didn't say that... I don't think. The joke is kind of obvious.)


... If those had have been Leafs tickets... The irony!