interesting sports illistrated article
Nov 14, 2002 12:47:07 GMT -5
Post by wade on Nov 14, 2002 12:47:07 GMT -5
Maple Leafs embrace theory then blame fans
Sports Illustrated paints a picture team refuses to see
By DAVE FESCHUK
National Post
When Tie Domi, the Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer, was asked to comment yesterday on the new issue of Sports Illustrated -- wherein Domi's team is labelled the most-hated club in hockey -- he raised a prodigious eyebrow in mock confusion.
"Sports Illustrated? They write about hockey?" Domi said. "I didn't know that ... That's the first I heard that Sports Illustrated writes about hockey, so they must have good sources."
Perhaps the U.S. glossy has never been a definitive source of ice-wise information. But this week's issue promises to be a hot seller on Hogtown's newsstands, containing as it does a feature article titled "Why Everyone Hates The Leafs." While the magazine calls Toronto "the hockey capital of the world," it also describes the city as home to "the NHL's most notorious band of whiners, divers and cheap-shot artists."
Senior writer Michael Farber derides the Leafs as "the New York Yankees of hockey, save for the championships and the quiet dignity," and he quotes numerous NHL players who criticize certain Leafs -- most pointedly Domi, Darcy Tucker and Shayne Corson -- for talking too much, hitting too low and diving too frequently.
Says Montreal Canadiens defenceman Sheldon Souray in the piece: "[The Leafs] have good players with a lot of skill, but the diving and the screaming cheapen the game." Adds Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Ian Moran: "They expect to get all the calls, but when something is called against them, they whine. It's non-stop."
Pat Quinn, Toronto's coach and general manager, said yesterday that he hadn't read the article -- which describes him as "only too willing to carp about officiating" -- but he chalked up its contents to "gamesmanship."
"[Opposing players] are trying to get an edge coming in here," Quinn said. "We've had, as long as I've been here, a pretty emotional group here, and emotion is something, generally speaking, that is a positive thing, at least for our game and for entertainment.
"I haven't seen the story, nor would I give it a bunch of credibility."
The story, though, is plenty credible. It quotes players who believe the Leafs enjoy a favoured-nation status with the league office, and it makes a compelling argument that one of the low points of this past post-season -- an unpenalized "low-bridge" by Tucker that blew out the knee of Islanders star Mike Peca -- was a clear example of such favouritism. Indeed, Tucker wasn't suspended for the dastardly cheap shot, but the cheap shot was included in a tape of unacceptable hits circulated to every team during the pre-season.
Sports Illustrated paints a picture team refuses to see
By DAVE FESCHUK
National Post
When Tie Domi, the Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer, was asked to comment yesterday on the new issue of Sports Illustrated -- wherein Domi's team is labelled the most-hated club in hockey -- he raised a prodigious eyebrow in mock confusion.
"Sports Illustrated? They write about hockey?" Domi said. "I didn't know that ... That's the first I heard that Sports Illustrated writes about hockey, so they must have good sources."
Perhaps the U.S. glossy has never been a definitive source of ice-wise information. But this week's issue promises to be a hot seller on Hogtown's newsstands, containing as it does a feature article titled "Why Everyone Hates The Leafs." While the magazine calls Toronto "the hockey capital of the world," it also describes the city as home to "the NHL's most notorious band of whiners, divers and cheap-shot artists."
Senior writer Michael Farber derides the Leafs as "the New York Yankees of hockey, save for the championships and the quiet dignity," and he quotes numerous NHL players who criticize certain Leafs -- most pointedly Domi, Darcy Tucker and Shayne Corson -- for talking too much, hitting too low and diving too frequently.
Says Montreal Canadiens defenceman Sheldon Souray in the piece: "[The Leafs] have good players with a lot of skill, but the diving and the screaming cheapen the game." Adds Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Ian Moran: "They expect to get all the calls, but when something is called against them, they whine. It's non-stop."
Pat Quinn, Toronto's coach and general manager, said yesterday that he hadn't read the article -- which describes him as "only too willing to carp about officiating" -- but he chalked up its contents to "gamesmanship."
"[Opposing players] are trying to get an edge coming in here," Quinn said. "We've had, as long as I've been here, a pretty emotional group here, and emotion is something, generally speaking, that is a positive thing, at least for our game and for entertainment.
"I haven't seen the story, nor would I give it a bunch of credibility."
The story, though, is plenty credible. It quotes players who believe the Leafs enjoy a favoured-nation status with the league office, and it makes a compelling argument that one of the low points of this past post-season -- an unpenalized "low-bridge" by Tucker that blew out the knee of Islanders star Mike Peca -- was a clear example of such favouritism. Indeed, Tucker wasn't suspended for the dastardly cheap shot, but the cheap shot was included in a tape of unacceptable hits circulated to every team during the pre-season.