Enter Sundin.

 

Let me first start by pointing out that MLB.com is now reporting that the Angels extension with Mike Scioscia will actually reach all the way out to 2018, rather than the previous reported 2012 and later 2015. So, 9 more years? This guy, who had nothing to do with the World Series title (he can thank Bud Black and Joe Maddon for making the right calls), but plenty to do with the Angels bowing out in multiple early playoff rounds most recently against the Red Sox on a purely bad coaching more (um, I know, let's run a squeeze play. There's a reason they call it a "suicide" squeeze, you idiot). Remember bringing in Washburn to give up the walk off jack a couple of years back? I could go on and on. I'm deeply disappointed by the Angels contract decisions so far this year (actually only the two to follow), letting my favorite player walk without even an attempt to get him back, and then asking the worst coach in recent memory (my memory, mind you) to come back for the next 9 years. Am I suffering, or what?

Meanwhile, is Canucks Nation ready for the evening that we 7th Canucks have all been waiting for since rumors started in the offseason? According to the Canadian Press, the Canucks new offensive force is ready to roll, "Barring any setback, Sundin says he'll face the Oilers on Wednesday." Most around B.C. and the rest of North America figured that this would be the game (I think I predicted it in an earlier post) after the 'Nucks demoted one of my personal favs, Jannik Hansen. The Great Dane ended up being the odd man out with the start of Mr. Torontonian, despite his four goals and thirteen assists on my favorite line with Kesler and Burrows. Does this mean Kes and Burrows will get the likes of Mr. Sundin on their line? Not quite. The insiders around the Vancouver based puck squad have reported that Mats has been practicing with Kyle Wellwood and Mason Raymond (close to my prediction from 12/19/08 of Wells-Mats-Bernier). Does that mean that we can get Steve Bernier onto my favorite line with Ryan and AB? That would be an ideal solution in my book. As far as the game tonight goes, Mats has a career mark of 20 goals and 44 points in 41 career games against Edmonton, and he would probably only play as many minutes as he feels comfortable playing (20?). So will he contribute hardcore? I'm just glad that he'll be on the ice with the 'Nucks when my boys get their rematch against Karen's Sharks on NHL Network this Saturday (right after a Leafs game on NHL Network, if anyone is interested). 

So, how do the rest of the 'Nucks line up in this match against the Oil tonight? At 21-15-5 (exactly half way through the season), Van-ca-tesh are coming off of another recent shootout loss to the Stars, and have a 2-2-0 records against the Oilers so far his season. The last time the squads met, the Oilers grabbed a 3-2 win over my BC Boys, and Edmonton are 19-16-3 (3 games in hand against Vancouver) after a 3-2 win over the Isles. More demotion news in Vancouver sees rookie goalie Cory Schneider (does he like Lucy too?) going down to Manitoba to bolster the Moose with the return of Curtis Sanford. Cu-Sa is back already, despite LSF predictions, showing that either his groin injury wasn't nearly as bad as Lu's, or Lu is a wuss (I'll go with #1). However, even with Lu on the shelf, Sanny will be coming back as the backup once again with Burnaby's own Jason LaBarbera getting back between the pipes (hoping now to see the game go into a shootout). The good news about Barbie being on the ice? In his career, he is a stunning 4-0-1 with a 1.05 GAA against the Oil (1-0-1, 1.14 this season while with the Kings). I think he is finally going to get that elusive second win of his Canucks career, as long as Erik Cole still decides to suck for Edmonton. 

Do some stupid stats make you as interested as me? If they do, enjoy: The Canucks are 16-5-4 when scoring the first goal in a game this year. Meanwhile, the Oil are undefeated in 12 games if they lead after two periods. Therefore, my "LSF Keys to the Game" are 1) Score First 2) Lead after two periods 3) Keep LaBarbera between the pipes to guarantee success against these dorks from Alberta. 

So now that Tulsa beat Ball St. (anyone else shocked by this?) in the GMAC Bowl (wait, Marshall wasn't in the GMAC Bowl?), we are left with one final (and really lame) bowl game. It is #1 (cough, cough) Florida University taking on #2 (cheat, cheat) Oklahoma University. Clearly it is the battle between the two best QBs in North America (yeah! Even if Tebow is slated to be taken in the fifth or sixth round of the NFL Draft. Wow, he's cool!). So, who is going to grab the win? Based on not knowing really anything about the two teams, I think I have to go with Oklahoma because I really hate Florida. Is anyone on my side? I mean, I really don't like OU either, but it's Florday baby! Spank the Gator!