Bleacher Report - Articles by Bill McCormick

Raycroft Shines In Leafs Loss

Bill McCormick — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:45:54 -0400

The headline was originally meant to read " Leafs Lose With Raycroft" but, that seemed entirely unfair.

Andrew Raycroft hit the ice to defend the Toronto goal and was greeted with a chorus of boo's from the Leaf's faithful. Three regulation periods, one overtime period, a six-round shoot-out ,and 41 shots later the critics were silenced. Raycroft had been the best player on the ice—bar none.

The Leafs lost 4-3 having squandered 2-0 and 3-2 leads.

Leaf's coach, Paul Maurice, has described the remaining matches as "glorified exhibition games". How much motivation does that give the players? I wonder if his attitude would be different if the team was facing relegation.

In hockey-mad Toronto there is no down-side to losing. The arena will be full of fans whether we are looking to win the cup or anticipating another early golf season. Isn't it time the fans' passion and loyalty were rewarded?

Lame-duck GM Cliff Fletcher has promised changes for next year. He envisions a youth-based team that may or may not include Mats Sundin...the choice is Sundin's apparently. I'm sure I speak for Leafs' fans everywhere when I say " thanks for the clarity Cliff". I pity the new GM who has to work with another's vision.

Fletcher feels the Leafs are very close to being a contender."When you look at the league and how closely balanced the teams are, one or two players can make a lot of difference," Fletcher stated. "We have a pretty darn good goaltender and we have three or four pretty good young players that are going to make sure this team is reasonably competitive".

Does anyone else out there have a sense of deja vue?

Toronto Maple Leafs: A Bleak Future Ahead

Bill McCormick — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:21:30 -0400

The Toronto Maple Leafs now head toward season's end as one of the hottest teams to not make the playoffs...again. They continued their "too little too late" campaign Saturday night with a convincing 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Leafs' fans can take some pleasure in Vesa Toskala’s performance this season. However, while new to the team, it must be remembered he is already 30 years old. He is a here and now player who does not represent hope for the future.

Captain Mats Sundin is at the end of a long and stellar career. While he could prove invaluable to any strong, well-managed team, it is entirely possible we have seen the last of him.

Management remains the club's most glaring weakness. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO, Richard Peddie and lawyer, Gord Kirke, have teamed up to find a new general manager. Unfortunately, it is unlikely they will get the job done in time for the draft June 20 - 21.

The Leafs have 10 choices in the draft including eight in the first five rounds. Whoever lands the GM's position will probably be saddled with whatever choices Cliff Fletcher makes. Hopefully, this disadvantage will be offset by allowing the new GM to make a coaching change.

Remember, John Ferguson tried to fire Paul Maurice...has anyone out there seen or heard from Fergie lately?

Manchester United-Liverpool: Was Super Sunday Fixed?

Bill McCormick — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:12:35 -0400

The Super Sunday matchup between Manchester United and Liverpool turned into a disappointing farce through the unprofessional conduct of two men—Steve Bennett and Javier Mascherano.

One of the more outrageous rumours I've heard in the aftermath of this fiasco is that the EPL instructed Bennett to ensure a Manchester United victory.

It is not clear why the league would want this when a win by Liverpool would have tightened up the title race and generated greater interest.

It is equally unclear why Bennett was in charge of what was arguably the most important single match of the campaign after his part in the Cole incident earlier in the week.

Keith Hackett, the general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board stated, "It was unfortunate that Steve Bennett didn't come in to say to Mike Riley that it was a red. I'm waiting to discover why the two of them didn't have the trust in each other to come to the right decision."

Why give him this assignment immediately after questioning his competence?

Bennett openly favored United and seemed to be deliberately antagonizing the Liverpool players. This behaviour is consistent with his headline-hunting history. It is likely he began the game hoping to strike the first blow in the battle against players questioning officials.

Mascherano seemed all too willing to take the bait. After receiving a yellow card for a poor tackle, he lacked the self-discipline necessary to carry on in the game. His claim that he simply asked what was happening was belied by his body language and facial expressions. It is possible he said nothing untoward to Bennett but his actions sent a very different message to all who watched.

After being sent off, Mascherano's antics were inexcusable.

Was the game in question fixed? Probably not.

Does the game in general need fixing? Absolutely.

The players need to show the referees more respect and the league needs to provide the players with officials who are worthy of respect.

Certainly, neither happened on Sunday.

Boyd Lifts Rangers

Bill McCormick — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 07:50:52 -0400

Kiris Boyd scored three times to lead Rangers to their 29th Scottish League Cup.

Noel Hunt opened the scoring for a determined and fit Dundee United side in the 33rd minute. The 1-0 lead held up until the 84th minute when Kris Boyd slotted one home. The matter remained 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Mark DeVries sent the United supporters into seventh heaven when he scored in the 93rd minute. However, Rangers ignored the obituary notice and tied the affair, yet again, when Kiris Boyd scored his second in the 112th minute. The game remained deadlocked at 2-2 as extra time ran out.

Penalty kicks: United regained the lead with the first kick by Flood and a subsequent miss by Darcheville. Then Conway missed and Whittaker scored for Rangers...tied again! In the 3rd round both DeVries and Davis scored...still tied! Robertson and McCulloch both miss...still 2-2. Wilkie took the 9th penalty and McGregor saves. Kris Boyd stepped up and hammered home the 10th penalty to secure the victory and his place in Rangers' history.

Possession was even at 50-50. Rangers enjoyed a slight edge in shots at 13-11 and corners at 8-6. At the end of the day it was one of those games where one has to think it a shame there had to be a winner and a loser. Well done to both clubs.

Toronto Hockey: Lackluster Leafs Lose

Bill McCormick — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:41:40 -0400

With Captain Mats Sundin injured and their playoff hopes growing dimmer by the hour, each and every player looked deep inside and found inspiration.

They remembered what it meant to be a Leaf. They remembered the pride, the tradition, they remembered those who wore the jersey before them and they remembered the fans. They hit the ice with the determination of men possessed. The Buffalo players saw the fire in their eyes and trembled. They knew they were playing the real Leafs.

Then the clock radio started. You hit the snooze button as fast as possible but, reality had already begun to sink in.

The Buffalo Sabres wandered into the ACC last night and beat the Leafs 6-2. They did not play particularly well but were able to out hit, out skate, and out score the Leafs. To add injury to insult Nik Antropov left the ice with a swollen knee.

With 74 points the Leafs sit 12th in the conference, six points behind the Flyers with only nine games left. Do the math.

Many people have claimed Toronto's ownership is to blame as they are content to simply fill the seats. Why spend money on players when the fans come out to the game anyway? Those folks are only half right. Management is at fault but not through negligence.

The fact is not one person in the organization (some players excepted) understands hockey or what it means to BE a Leaf. It would be best for all if the Leafs were put up for sale.

Now, where can we find someone with the necessary knowledge, passion, and cash?