A Foot In The Crease: Recent Episodes
Jeff Hume, Dave McCarthy
Ahead this week on AFITC, a third of the way through the season and the Maple Leafs find themselves in a playoff spot. And they didn’t even trade for Roberto Luongo. Surprised? Shocked even? We’ll answer that question as well as look at why things have gone right, if it’s time to change the perception of the Leafs goaltending and what to do with a glut of defensemen.
Back Checking gets the Listeners voice onto the program as we check in with some emails and tweets. The Gong Banger is along as well later in the segment to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the program as well with a look at arguably the biggest question that Dave Nonis and company will have to answer in the coming year. Also in this episode, we’ll make an announcement about the future of the podcast. You know “the nobody on the ice until the zamboni doors are completely closed” rule in minor hockey, well it doesn’t apply in the NHL. This is Episode 8.2 of AFITC.
The World Junior Hockey Championships have become a Christmas holiday tradition in Canada that captivates the nation and draws massive viewership ratings, even at 4AM, on TSN. Tell me something I don’t know, you’re thinking right? But it really is remarkable when you think about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I love any excuse to stand up, wave our country’s flag and get behind something, not as individuals but as one collective nation coming together where it truly does seem like you can feel the energy from coast to coast. But there is an inherent flaw in our mindset for this tournament that gets revealed when, as we saw this morning, things don’t necessarily go as planned.
A large majority of Canadians who become rabid, crazed junior hockey fans at Christmas, cheering on Team Canada with the type of energy and passion that we see reserved for so few events, watch nary a game of regular season junior hockey – be it OHL, WHL, or QMJHL. For two weeks of the year, junior hockey is everything; for the other eleven and a half months, it holds niche interest at best. There are very few examples of sports which can so easily reach both extreme ends of the support spectrum.
We really know very little about these players that we get behind for two weeks during the holidays. We’re told about them by media members in the weeks leading up to the tournament, top prospects, key players and the like but never having seen them play on our own, most Canadians cannot legitimately speak with any real authority as to how good our team actually is in any particular year. Simply repeating what you’ve heard on the television or the radio doesn’t make you an expert. This leads to blind passion and often, artificially heightened expectations.
And because we’re Canada, we seem to carry with us an arrogance that since it is hockey, naturally, we must be better than everyone else. Winning five straight gold medals from 2005-2009 only served to further foster this mindset. Here’s the thing. While we know very little about own team, we know even less about other countries’ players but for some reason, we tend to assume that Slovakia and the US and Russia and Switzerland are no good. Why? Because they’re not Canada and obviously, we’re better right? Well since 2009, wrong.
It’s a dangerous game to get into, assuming superiority when virtually nothing is known about one’s opposition. We don’t see this anywhere else. Take the LA Kings facing the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2012 NHL playoffs for example. With a working knowledge of the Canucks, sensible Kings fans held hopeful optimism, as fans should hold, that grew after each win. Pretty tough to find many people assuming the Kings would win though.
We don’t see this same arrogance in the Olympics either. Why? That working knowledge of what Sweden or Finland or Russia or the US can bring is there for most people. As Canadians, we’ve got that hopeful optimism, even confidence, but we’re not assuming we’ll beat anybody.
So as Canada will go a fourth straight year without a World Junior Gold Medal, go ahead, be disappointed. We should expect gold or bust at every major hockey event; we’re capable of winning any tournament we enter. But we should never – and need to stop – assuming gold. We’re finding out quite quickly that there are a lot of other countries that can find their way around a hockey rink pretty well, too.
For AFITC, I'm Dave McCarthy.
It’s the season eight premiere of AFITC on the day the NHL season was supposed to begin. But alas, the memories of 2004 turn to the reality of 2012 as NHL arenas again sit dark with yet another lockout in our midst. The owners, the players; who’s right this time around? What makes this time different than 8 years ago? We’ll answer these questions along with a host of other lockout topics in the Redline Report.
Back checking brings your voice onto the program as we check in with some contributions from listeners about their thoughts on the lack of NHL hockey. Wrapping the segment, the Gong Banger rolls in to ring in a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Are you feeling lost, forlorn, aimlessly wandering about with nothing to do without NHL hockey? Rigamarole will wrap the program with some ideas as to how you can fill that deep void the NHL has left for you.
Ahead this week on the program, Season 7 of AFITC comes to an end as we look back at the first week of free agent frenzy (?) in the NHL. The Leafs make some minor moves while the Minnesota Wild went wild luring Zach Parise and Ryan Suter with massive money deals. How does this shift the balance of power? Is spending out of control? What does this mean to the Leafs? We’re all over it in the Redline Report.
Back Checking comes your way next. We turn to you for Listener Contributions through Twitter and Email and welcome the Gong Banger in for another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Wrapping the program is rigamarole, this week looking at the ripple effect that could be seen in Nashville now that Ryan Suter has hit the road. This is Episode 7.39, the Season Finale of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the penultimate edition of Season 7, Brian Burke waited until late in the weekend but then dropped a bomb when he announced Luke Schenn had been dealt for James Van Riemsdyk. We’ll tell you who won that trade coming up in the Redline Report. As well, the Leafs General Manager doing too much talking? We’ll tell you his latest eyebrow raising remark along with which team can least afford to move forward under their current scenario, the Leafs starting the season with Reimer and Scrivens or the Canucks bringing both Schneider and Luongo back to camp.
Wrapping the segment, we’ll follow up on a trade involving considerable consanguinity and debate whether the Penguins owed Sidney Crosby his massive contract extension. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email and close it out with the Gong Banger and a Troubling Fact of the Week.
And finally rigamarole wraps the show. This week, I’ll tell you why the Hall of Fame debate about who should be in and who should be out bores the hell out of me. They said it would be so hot in Toronto today that it would feel like oven like conditions. Well when I got home, the bread dough I’d left on the sidewalk hadn’t baked yet. This is Episode 7.38 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, if the NHL offseason was a game of musical chairs, Brian Burke might end up without a chair when the music shuts off. Lots of options falling off the table for the Leafs to upgrade so what should they do? Would you be happy with Reimer / Scrivens next season? Could Jordan Staal be in play? Should the Leafs try to move up in the draft? We’re all over it in the Redline Report.
Later in Back Checking, we tip our hats to Jake Gardiner and Teemu Selanne, check in with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email before making way for the Gong Banger to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week. Also in this segment, we reveal the word that was the final cut when Brian Burke was holding tryouts to fill out his team of four big words.
Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at why the wheeling and dealing has been rather quiet so far in the week leading up to the NHL draft.
Ahead this week on the program, California Dreaming, the Kings crowned in LA as the Cup heads west. Where does the Kings playoff run rank all time? How does their win affect other team’s mindsets going forward? We’re all over that to kick start the Redline Report. The Toronto Marlies made the Calder Cup Finals but the magic ended as the third round did. Swept by the Admirals but what does it mean to the Leafs future, and more specifically how will Ben Scrivens affect the Leafs goaltending.
Back Checking follows next with some bullet points from around the league, Listener Contributions from Twitter and emails from Alan and Aaron. After that, the gong banger is along with a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look back at some of the things we learned over the last year in the NHL. Did Buzz Aldrin make history when he became the second man to step on the moon first? This is Episode 7.36 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, nine days since our last program yet only two games in that time. The NHL’s really got to up the games to days ratio. We’ll hit on the start of the Cup Finals between the Kings and Devils. Do teams have a responsibility to play entertaining hockey at this time of year? We’ll give you our thoughts to kick start the Redline Report. Also on tap, Nick Lidstrom calls it a career. Where does he rank all time and what does this mean for the Wings going forward?
Wrapping the segment, we’ll look at Tim Thomas’ suggestion that he might want to take a year off and what the Flames hiring Bob Hartley as head coach means for their organization. Back Checking features Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email along with the Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at the Marlies loss of Matt Frattin for the season and how it could affect the Toronto Maple Leafs next season. New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan was at game one of the Cup Finals with his wife on Wednesday. Reports tell us he was impressed with the footwork on Anze Kopitar’s game winner. This is Episode 7.35 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the LA Kings are through to the Stanley Cup Finals but not without controversy. We’ll touch on the contentious end to game five of the Kings / Coyotes series, why the Mike Rupp punch on Martin Brodeur was not the smartest thing Rupp could have done for the Rangers and whether the Marlies success has you raising your expectations for the Leafs next year.
Back Checking comes your way next. We’ll feature Listener Contributions for Twitter and Email and a locally inspired Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a local at how the off-ice shenanigans of Patrick Kane should start to become the problems of the Chicago Blackhawks. All that and more ahead on Episode 7.34 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the LA Kings are two wins from a date in the Stanley Cup Finals and are showing no signs of slowing down. How surprised should we be that this 8th seed is just mowing down the competition? We’ll touch on that in the Redline Report. Later we’ll tell you why the heat that the BS column (blocked shots column) on the score sheet is taking is just that, BS.
The NHL has served customary notice to the Players Association required to make changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Could this lead to a work stoppage? We’ll give our thoughts to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking is next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email as well as another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at Alex Semin’s future in Washington and whether the Leafs should look at acquiring him if indeed he moves on. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.33 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Montreal Canadiens new General Manager Marc Beregevin came calling on the Toronto Maple Leafs for the services of Rick Dudley but the Leafs are none too pleased about it. We’ll tell you why to kick start the Redline Report. Do you know who Leo Komarov is? You might become pretty familiar with him as soon as next year. We’ll tell you who he is in the Report Report.
The Toronto Marlies are a win away from the Western Conference Final in the American Hockey League. But do you care? Are you on the Marlies band wagon? We’ll get to that to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next where we’ll look at the downfall of the Nashville Predators and how this could be a franchise defining off season in music city.
A Troubling Fact of the Week wraps the segment before rigamarole wraps the show, this week looking at why just squeaking into the playoffs in 8th spot doesn’t leave you in as tough a position as it used to. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.32 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, well into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs and it’s as wide open as ever. We’ll go through some Mid Playoff Musings out of the gate in the Redline Report, who’s the odds on Cup favourite, and who would you give the Conn Smythe to if the playoffs ended today? A couple of Nashville Predators are misbehaving, we’ll tell you how they were punished and what it means for the Preds.
Raffi Torres and the NHLPA have appealed his 25 game suspension for his hit on Marian Hossa. We’ll tell you how this could set a precedent for the NHL depending on how the appeal is ruled upon to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking brings an announcement about the Toronto Maple Leafs, Listener Contributions and a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole this week looks at why the NHL should never even consider altering the current playoff overtime format.
Ahead this week on the program, the NHL came down hard on Raffi Torres for his hit on Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks. We’ll tell you why 25 games was too much of a suspension for that hit. As well, this is shaping up to be one of the busiest off seasons of big name player movement in recent memory. We’ll tell you who could be on the move and if the Leafs should get in on the action.
Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment is the Gong Banger as we ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole this week wraps the show with a look at who holds the edge in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. Is there anything more awkward than running into somebody at a grocery store for the second time in the same visit? This is Episode 7.30 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, absolute chaos bordering on anarchy so far in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nine suspensions already and likely more to come. Has the violence turned you off or are you loving it? We’ll give our thoughts on that, the Raffi Torres hit on Marian Hossa, the Penguins / Flyers and Kings and Canucks coming up in the Redline Report.
Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and emails from Alan and Aaron. After that, it’s a Troubling Fact of the Week, this week featuring what we think was the most sickening act of the playoffs so far.
Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at Canada’s National netminding crisis. Tweety Bird from the Looney Toons, is it a guy or a girl? Seriously, still haven’t been able to figure that one out. This is Episode 7.29 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally brought an end to another disappointing playoff-less season. We’ll look back on the last couple games against Tampa Bay and Montreal, look back on the season as a whole and tell you where the Leafs will draft in June.
Larry Tanenbaum wrote an open letter to Leaf fans apologizing for the season. Did his letter soften your anger toward the disappointing season? We’ll touch on that as well as some reaction from Randy Carlyle and Brian Burke’s season ending press conferences. Back Checking comes your later with Listener Contributions and a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Wrapping the program is rigamarole, this week telling you what to expect in the first round of the playoffs. If Ilya Bryzgalov is afraid of bear in forest, he should be glad he isn’t facing the Boston Bruins. This is Episode 7.28 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs are just about out of their misery – just two games to go before closing the book on just a dreadful season. Three games in the past week, a loss to Philadelphia, a win against Buffalo and an overtime loss to Buffalo; we’ll take you through those games in the Redline Report.
Would you be happy with a James Reimer / Ben Scrivens combo in net next year? We’ll answer that question as well as why this off season might be as good a time as ever to trade Phil Kessel. Later in Back Checking, we get a variety of Listener Contributions onto the program from Twitter and Email and wrap with a Troubling Fact of the Week. In addition, we get into a discussion about the importance of repairing the image of the Maple Leafs to players around the NHL.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at one of the best rivalries the NHL has seen in recent memory.
Ahead this week on the program, close the door, turn out the lights, no they won’t be home tonight. For the seventh straight season, Air Canada Centre will be free of playoff hockey. We’ll take you through the three games from the past week against the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes to kick start the Redline Report. Later, Tie Domi is disgusted. We’ll tell you why and let you know about the Leafs newest signing.
Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. We’ll lend some context to just how far the Buffalo Sabres have come in a short period of time and wrap things with a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show this week as we give a tip of the hat to the…Ottawa Senators. This is Episode 7.26 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs continued to slide their way down the Eastern Conference standings and it wasn’t pretty. Tank job? Probably not, but it was ugly. So how do you see it? This is what you want right? The draft pick! So if that’s what you want are you still angry with how poorly they played? Can’t have it both ways. We’ll debate that to kick start the Redline Report.
Do you hop on another team’s bandwagon once your team is out? Two very different schools of thought on this. We’ll give you our thoughts in the Redline Report as well as a look into the latest chapter of the Canucks and Blackhawks rivalry. Back Checking comes your way with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email and wraps with a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Would you trade Phil Kessel straight up for Scott Hartnell? Think about that. We’ll tell you coming up in rigamarole. This is Episode 7.25 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs season went from worse to horrid to…what’s after horrid. Three more games, three more loss and the Leafs are now well within range of the draft lottery. We’ll take you through those games in the Redline Report. Later, was this year a step on the road to further development or just a complete write off with no progress whatsoever? We’ll answer that as well as introduce you to Muskoka Five, Version II.
In Back Checking, we get to your Listener Contributions via Twitter and Emails from Trevor and Matt. The Nashville Predators are poised to add a top calibre player to the roster after the trade deadline. We’ll tell you about that before welcoming the Gong Banger back for another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at which team is emerging as the leading contender for the Stanley Cup.
Ahead this week on the program, drop the black curtain, this season’s done. The Toronto Maple Leafs free fall continued with two losses in their last three games giving them just two wins in their last 14 games. Ron Wilson’s gone, Randy Carlyle is in. Mikhail Grabovski’s back and for a long, long time. We’ll fill you in on all of that coming up in the Redline Report.
Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment is the Gong Banger with a very disconcerting Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole this week looks at why we have become so accustomed to the culture of losing in Toronto. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.23 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, three more games, three more losses for the Toronto Maple Leafs as their season continues to implode before our eyes. We’ll take you through losses to San Jose, Washington and Florida to kick start the Redline Report.
No help on the way either as the Leafs added nothing to their roster at the trade deadline. We’ll touch on the inactivity at the deadline as well as a few of the more eyebrow raising quotes from Brian Burke’s post deadline media conference to wrap the segment.
Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions. We’ll get to some great tweets and emails from Bruce and Matt. Wrapping the segment, the Gong Banger is back with another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show this week with a look at why the Rick Nash situation in Columbus has the chance to become rather awkward as the season rolls on.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to turn in their worst hockey of the season at the most crucial point in the year. We’ll take your through the games against the Vancouver Canucks and the New Jersey Devils to kick start the Redline Report. Has your mindset changed heading to the deadline? Is goaltending now the biggest need? We’ll offer our thoughts on that as well as look ahead to the Leafs upcoming games against San Jose and Washington.
Back Checking comes your way with Listener Contributions via Twitter and Email. After that, the Troubling Fact of the Week wraps the segment looking at a surprising contract extension from the past week.
Rigamarole wraps the show, this week looking at why the phrase “Oh the Leafs never ever get any help on the out of town scoreboard,” should never be uttered ever, ever again.
Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs hit the wall with a four game losing streak before finally getting back on track with a win in Edmonton. We’ll take your through games against the Flyers, Canadiens, Flames and Oilers to kick start the Redline Report. With just over a week until the NHL’s trade deadline, should the Leafs be making a move or two? Rick Nash perhaps? We’ll touch on that as well.
Back Checking brings Listener Contributions to the program via Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment is a Troubling Fact of the Week, this week focusing on more disappointing behavior in Vancouver.
Wrapping the show is rigamarole, this week looking at the mighty surge of the marching Anaheim Ducks. All that and more this week on A Foot In The Crease – The Toronto Hockey Podcast.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs continued rolling along with a pair of wins against the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers before being tripped up by the Winnipeg Jets in their final game of the week. We’ll take you through those games, what impact they had on the Leafs position in the standings and a whole lot more to kick start the Redline Report.
Later, the worst kept secret in hockey: the 2013 Winter Classic will be announced on Thursday and it involved the Leafs. We’ll touch on that to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email and wraps up with a Troubling Fact of the Week.
With Mats Sundin’s #13 banner being raised to the rafters on Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens, rigamarole looks back at the legacy of Sundin in Toronto.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs took three of four points against the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins but it very easily could have been and probably should have been four of four points. We’ll take you through those pair of games to kick start the Redline Report. Later, Mikhail Grabovski was the second highest scoring player during the month of January but he’s a free agent at the end of the season. Should the Leafs keep him and sign him or trade him? We’ll touch on that as well.
Sidney Crosby’s injury situation became even further muddled this week after it was reported he had fractured vertebraes in his neck but then the next day the story changed? How close is he to returning? We’ll look at that situation to wrap the Redline Report. In Back Checking, Listener Contributions come your via Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment, we feature a multi faceted Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole concludes the show this week with a look at why it made sense for the Leafs to send Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie back to the Toronto Marlies. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.18 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs took three of four games this week heading into their week long All Star break. We’ll take you through those games against the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens and a pair against the New York Islanders to kick start the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report.
Later, John Michael Liles re-uped with the Leafs for four years? We’ll weigh in on that deal as well as exploring whether it’s time to look at extending another pending unrestricted free agent: Jonas Gustavsson.
Wrapping the Redline Report, Tim Thomas said no to President Obama’s invitation to the White House. Disrespectful? Off base? We’ll give you our thoughts before jumping into Back Checking with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email as well as a Troubling Fact of the Week featuring Alex Ovechkin.
Rigamarole concludes the show with a look at the stark contrast between the way the Leafs went into the All Star Break last year compared to this year. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.17 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, a perfect week for the Leafs followed up by a winless week and all of a sudden they’re back out of the playoffs looking in. We’ll take you through games against the Sabres, Rangers and Senators to kick start the Redline Report.
Wrapping the segment, Taylor Hall cut badly by a skate during the warm up on Tuesday but it could have been much worse. Hall wasn’t wearing a helmet, is it time for that to change? We’ll touch on that as well to wrap the Redline Report.
Back Checking gets your voice onto the program with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Emails from Matt, Alan and Aaron. The Gong Banger is back on vacation this week – actually he’s on hiatus considering legal action after the disparaging comment we made about him on last week’s show – so for the final time, we are joined by the boys from Sens Underground for a Babble of Ontario.
Wrapping the program is rigamarole, this week looking at the consistency of the Leafs inconsistency.
Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs ended 2011 with a whimper but started 2012 with a bang winning four straight home games to set a new season high for consecutive wins. We’ll take you through games against the Jets, Red Wings and Sabres to kick start the Redline Report. Midway through the season now, we’ll hand out our half way report cards, grading the offense, the defense, the goaltending and the coaching staff as well as a few individual players.
Alex Ovechkin this year is not the Alex Ovechkin we’ve come to be familiar with. Does he deserve to go to the All Star game? We’ll debate that as well the format of choosing the rosters for the All Star Game to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking follows after that with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email and concludes with a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at how the Leafs past week has demonstrated their rarely seen killer instinct.
We’re back on AFITC for our first show of 2012 after a very relaxing and restful week off over the holidays. The Toronto Maple Leafs struggled through the month of December finishing 2011 on a three game losing streak that saw them fall right out of the playoffs. We’re all over the Leafs to kick start the Redline Report. Ron Wilson gets a contract extension and announced it on Christmas Day on Twitter. Is that acceptable to you? We’ll touch on that as well as the Leafs goaltending situation to wrap the Leaf Notes portion of the show.
Team Canada failed again at the World Junior Hockey Championships but almost managed a comeback for the ages. What’s wrong with Canada’s National Junior program? We’ll give our thoughts to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Email and Twitter. Wrapping the segment, our Philadelphia correspondent Alan Bass checks in. He was at the Winter Classic so we’ll hit on that, Ilya Bryzgalov and the state of the Flyers.
Rigamarole wraps the show as always, this week taking a look at the crossroad the Leafs have reached for the 2011-2012 season. Sit back, make sure you not forget early in the morning your thermos, put some nice tea, and enjoy the program.
Ahead this week on the program, three games, six available points but only one secured by the Leafs this past week. Are the Leafs drowning? We’ll answer that question as we take you through games against the Sabres, Canucks, and Kings.
The Habs fired Jacques Martin but their new coach Randy Cunneyworth can’t speak French and that has all sorts of people all upset. Did Sweden throw games at the 2006 Olympics? Peter Forsberg hinted that they did.
Listener Contributions, a Troubling Fact and rigamarole follow to wrap the show. It’s the Christmas Edition of AFITC. Sit back, grab a glass of cheer and enjoy!
Ahead this week on the program, we often promise a shorter show but rarely deliver. However, this folks, might be the week. Just two games for the Leafs this past week against the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes, we’ll take you through those games in the Redline Report. Did the Leafs earn a win or luck into a win against the Hurricanes? We’ll answer that question specifically and get to an injury update in the Revolving Door.
Wrapping the Redline Report, Sidney Crosby’s out again indefinitely. Is his career in jeopardy? We’ll dive into that as well as touch on another coaching change in the NHL. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions, a discussion on the sale of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment and a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at why the next four games are ever so crucial to the Leafs success. Complaining about having to get up to change the channel. Problems from our parents generation. Complaining about having to reach out from under the blanket into the cold for the zapper to fast forward the commercials on the PVR. Problems from my generation. This is Episode 7.12 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs won one, lost one and lost another in overtime this past week. We’ll take your through the three games against the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils to kick start the Redline Report. The Revolving Door brings you up to speed on some Leaf injury updates. Later, we weigh in on Jordan Tootoo’s hit on Sabres netminder Ryan Miller and try to find Brian Burke a suitable barn to fight Kevin Lowe.
Back Checking this week touches on the oversleeping Tyler Seguin before welcoming Listener Contributions onto the show from Twitter and Email. Does it bother you when coaches lie about injuries and line up decisions? We’ll answer that question before making way for the Gong Banger to ring in the Troubling Fact of the Week.
Wrapping the program is rigamarole where we’ll explain why fan balloting for the All Star Game has got to go! Brian Burke admitted last week he was actually considering renting a barn to fight Kevin Lowe. You can fight in a parking lot, the street, but renting a barn? That’s ever so pugnacious. This is Episode 7.11 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs wrapped a very successful four game road trip with a loss at home to the Boston Bruins. We’ll take you through the three games against Dallas, Anaheim and Boston to begin the Redline Report. Trade winds swirling around Bobby Ryan. Ducks GM Bob Murray says he’s not available but would a player like him help the Leafs and what would you give up to get him? We’ll touch on that, Nik Kulemin’s goalless drought, and assess the Leafs after the first big checkpoint of the season: American Thanksgiving.
Later in the segment, we’ll spin you through the Revolving Door with updates on a few injured Leafs. Coaching changes galore this week in the NHL, we’ll tell you who’s in, who’s out and what sort of result teams that made coaching changes might be hoping for. In Back Checking, we welcome your contributions onto the program through Twitter and Email.
Wrapping the segment, Detroit Red Wings prospect Brendan Smith joins the show to talk about his NHL debut, his thoughts on Jersey Guy and whether Nickelback is a legit band. Rigamarole wraps the show as always with a focus this week on the plight of the Anaheim Ducks. If I don’t know what you’re saying, saying “You know what I’m saying?” is not going to make me understand. This is Episode 7.10 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, two wins and two losses for the Maple Leafs but in those wins, they were absolutely dominant. We’ll take you through the four games against the Predators, Capitals, Hurricanes and Lightning to kick start the Redline Report. Tyler Bozak, nine points in his last seven games. Has he finally figured it out? We’ll touch on that. As well, injuries decimated the team last week, we’ll update on a long list from the infirmary in the Revolving Door.
Sidney Crosby finally back on the ice and in the Penguins line up and what a return it was on Monday. We’ll get into that to wrap the Redline Report. In Back Checking, some news and notes from around the league, your contributions from Twitter and Email, we’ll debate our Twitter Question of the Week regarding Joffery Lupul and Phil Kessel and the Gong Banger stops by to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Wrapping the program is rigamarole as we look at some of the bigger surprises from the first quarter of the NHL season. If you don’t want people sneaking up from behind you when you’re at home, carpet your house in bubble wrap. This is Episode 7.9 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, a win, a loss and a shootout loss for the Leafs this past week but some frightening signs have continued to creep up. We’ll take you through the three games from the past week against the Blues, Senators and Coyotes in the Leafs notes portion of the Redline Report. Tyler Bozak, Phil Kessel, Cody Franson also up for discussion as well as updates on a growing list of injured Leafs in the Revolving Door.
Interviews with player’s parents. Is that out of bounds? We’ll discuss the fallout from Dave Feschuk’s piece in the Toronto Star after quoting James Reimer’s mother as well as touching on the NHL’s decision not to suspend Milan Lucic for his hit on Ryan Miller. Back Checking features Listener Contributions from Twitter and Emails from Jay, Matt, Alan and Aaron.
The Gong Banger wraps Back Checking by ringing in an OHL themed Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole explains why the Leafs cannot procrastinate when it comes to determining a solution for their netminding situation.
Ahead this week on the program, are the November Blues upon us? Just two games for the Toronto Maple Leafs since we last spoke but both of them, just abysmal efforts. What went wrong? How concerned should you be? We’ll take you through the two games against the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers with all the details in the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report.
James Reimer’s status, we’ll update you on that as well as the statuses of a number of other Leafs in the Revolving Door. Back Checking comes your way next as we welcome your thoughts onto the program from Twitter and Listener Email from Matt and Richard. The Gong Banger is along as well to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Wrapping program is rigamarole where we’ll tell you just how close the Leafs are to sliding in to a full on November Blues.
Ahead this week on the program, four more games for the Maple Leafs, three more wins. But the question is still relevant, is this team for real? We’ll take you through games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets to kick start the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report. Later in the segment, we’ll spin you through the Revolving Door and bring you the latest on the mysteriousness surrounding James Reimer’s injury.
To wrap the Redline Report, we’ll look at a potentially revolutionary breakthrough for minimizing the risk of concussions. As well, we look at hazing and initiation in hockey after a disturbing story came to light involving a junior hockey team in Manitoba.
Following that it’s Back Checking where we bring your thoughts onto the program from Twitter and Email. The Gong Banger stops by to wrap the segment with another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole concludes the show with a look at one area still very much plaguing the Leafs; one that is very much in need of improvement.
Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs won a couple and lost a couple but how good a week did they really have? Off the ice, safe to say not a great one as James Reimer’s status is suddenly very murky indeed. We’re all over the games from the past week, what’s wrong with James Reimer and trade rumors involving the just recently acquired Cody Franson to kick start the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report.
Quick Hits wraps the segment with an update on Sidney Crosby, the Montreal Canadiens strange timing on the firing of assistant coach Perry Pearn and the trade demand of Kyle Turris from the Phoenix Coyotes. Back Checking gets your voice on the program as we feature your Tweets and emails from Matt, Mark, Andre and Alan. The Gong Banger wraps the segment with an $850 million Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look why it’s still important to view the Leafs start to the season with a healthy dose of cautious optimism. This is Episode 7.5 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs are off to a great start – or ARE they? 4-1 through their first five games. We’ll examine whether that really should be viewed as a good start after we take you through the three games from the past week against the Flames, Avalanche and Jets in Leafs Notes to kick start the Redline Report. How should the Leafs approach the goaltending situation, where has all the secondary scoring gone, how good has Phil Kessel been? We’ll touch on those questions as well.
Wrapping the Redline Report, we look at Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson’s suggestion that the NHL raises the Entry Draft age to 19. Back Checking brings your voice to the program with some great Listener Contributions including an all timer sighting of Jersey Guy. The Gong Banger concludes the segment by ringing in another Troubling Fact of the Week.
To wrap the program, rigamarole this week gives some perspective to the way the Leafs have started the season thus far. This is Episode 7.4 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, it didn't look like all systems were go coming out of the preseason but the Toronto Maple Leafs proved once again preseason results matter very little once the real games get going. Two straight wins to start the season against the Habs and Senators. Leafs Notes kick starts the Redline Report with all the details.
The Leafs in Trenton, Ontario on a team bonding excursion this week? How much do team bonding trips actually benefit performance? We'll share our thoughts on that as well as spinning you through the Revolving Door with a variety of injury updates.
Don Cherry made headlines again for some controversial comments pertaining to three former NHL enforcers on the season's first edition of Coach's Corner. We'll touch on that to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking features some noteworthy tidbits from the past week as well as your thoughts and contributions through Twitter and Email. The Gong Banger wraps the segment by ringing in another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Jeremy Roenick said people should stop focusing on Sidney Crosby's absence and start focusing on what is actually happening on the ice. Do you agree? Dave shares his thoughts on the daily updates of Crosby's recovery status at the end of the program in rigamarole. This is Episode 7.3 of AFITC.
The NHL's regular season is upon us once again and we’ve got you covered. Ahead this week on the program, we’ll look back at the Maple Leafs preseason, tell you what to make of the team’s performance and address some of the decisions that were ultimately made as a result. Frattin, Gardiner both stick as do both tough guys Rosehill and Orr. Franson sits while Komesarik plays. We’ll discuss all those storylines coming up in the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report.
Later in the segment, we'll spin you through the Revolving Door and update you on the plethora of Leafs injuries already. Also, another gut wrenching injury as a result of a touch icing. Is it time for a change? And is Brendan Shanahan going overboard and ruining the physicality of the game? Clarke MacArthur and Mike Milbury think so. Those topics wrap the Redline Report.
Back Checking gets your voice on the program as we check in with a variety of Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email.
Our little discussion on Episode 7.1 about appearances from "Jersey Guy" (random guy who wears sports jerseys in places one wouldn’t think sports jerseys would pass as acceptable attire) drew a lot of response so we want to hear from you. Where are the weirdest places you’ve seen appearances from "Jersey Guy?" Tweet us your responses and we’ll keep mentioning them on the show.
The Troubling Fact of the Week wraps the segment. After that, it's rigamarole where we’ll tell you, flat out, if the Leafs make the playoffs in 2012. Episode 7.2 of AFITC starts now.
The summer hiatus has come to an end! We’re back to start the engine on another season of A Foot In The Crease.
Kicking off Season Seven today, we check in first with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Most of the cuts have been made leaving just a handful of battles for spots on the third and fourth lines and the back end of the defense. We’ll tell you who should stay, who should go and how much stake should be put in preseason performances.
Mike Komesarik has a no movement clause – surprising considering a statement made by Brian Burke at his Leafs introductory press conference. This means Komesarik likely starts the year with the Leafs regardless of if he’s outplayed by one of the youngsters vying for a spot on the blueline. We’ll explore this situation further before spinning through the Revolving Door with some injury updates to wrap Leafs Notes.
New NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan has been a busy guy handing out six suspensions already. Has the punishment been accurate? We’ll give our thoughts to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking brings your voice to the show with some great Listener Contributions from email and twitter.
Closing the show is Rigamarole as we pay tribute to Wade Belak, a former guest on our show, who passed away tragically this summer. This is Episode 7.1 of AFITC.
It’s time for the annual celebration of the best that was in the past year of AFITC with the Year End Awards Gala Show Extravaganza Palooza Spectacular. Eleven awards or YEAGSEPS as they’re now called (listen and find out) are handed out this year to some exceptionally deserving recipients.
The categories include Word of the Year, Tweeter of the Year, Email of the Year, Emailer of the Year, Moonlighter of the Year, Irreverent Moment of the Year, Rant of the Year, Whipping Boy of the Year, AFITC Leaf Player of the Year, Rigamarole of the Year and Guest of the Year. Four terrific songs from Season Six come your way as well throughout the course of the Gala.
So sit back, enjoy, and walk the figurative red carpet with us as we honour the best from Season Six of AFITC.
Forty shows down, one to go before we close the book on Season Six of AFITC. Ahead on this week’s program, the Leafs retooled adding one player through free agency and two through a trade while resigning two of their own restricted free agents. We’ll discuss those moves and how they’ll affect the Leafs next season in Leaf Notes. Kicking off the Redline Report, we feature another Defining Moment In Leaf history, ironically about finding a number one centre.
Paul Kariya had some strong words about how the NHL is dealing with concussions when he retired this past week. Will the NHL listen? We’ll give our thoughts on that as well as this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame inductees to wrap the Redline Report.
Back Checking looks at some bizarre contracts that were recently signed and gets some Listener Contributions onto the program. Later we turn to our closer, the Host of Off The Record on TSN, Michael Landsberg as he shares his thoughts on the Leafs, the Shark’ overhaul, the future of NHL discipline and much more.
Rigamarole will conclude the show, this week answering the biggest question on the minds have all Leaf fans: have they improved enough to snap their six year playoff drought.
With Season Six in the books, a number of thank yous are in order to the numerous people who have been so generous with their time in helping to make our show better.
First off, to our outstanding guests. To Will Gunton, Alan Bass, Cassidy Preston, Jeff Brown, Paul Hendrick, Alex Guptill, Brendan Smith, James Duthie, Joe Bowen, John Ondrasik, Lucas Lessio, Matt Cauz, Matt Lashoff, Nick D’Agostino and Michael Landsberg who all appeared this season on the show, thank you all so much!
To everyone who corresponded with us through Email, Facebook or Twitter, thanks for sharing all your thoughts and opinions with us. Inspiring discussion and debate means we’re doing our jobs and there was certainly no shortage of that this year. Getting different perspectives on topics and stories is what we love; we consider ourselves lucky to have been presented with so many outstanding contributions again this year!
Finally, most of all, thanks to our many loyal listeners. Without you, we’re just talking to ourselves. We recognize there are so many sources available for hockey talk and opinion and for you to have included our humble little program in your weekly routine and look forward to each week’s episode; that, honestly, to us, is the biggest honour. Thanks so much for all the outstanding support! We sincerely hope you enjoyed us entertaining and informing you as much as we did putting show together.
Ahead this week on the penultimate edition of Season Six, the Toronto Maple Leafs shook up the coaching staff, added another former general manager to the front office, made a trade and drafted twice in the first round but should the weekend be considered a success? We’re all over all things Leaf in the Redline Report. Later, we revisit our picks for the NHL Awards and discuss whether it’s time for the Awards Show to move on from Las Vegas.
Before all that though, another Defining Moment In Leaf History – this week, featuring the Leafs historic 10-0 start in 1993 - comes your way. To wrap the Report, we look at a couple of blockbuster deals from the Flyers and Sharks that overhauled their rosters in one fell swoop.
Back Checking features three solid Listener Emails from Chris, Alan and Aaron, as well as a variety of tweets.
Our guest this week, Matt Cauz – the host of Game Day on TSN Radio – wraps the segment with thoughts on the Finals, Leafs, Brad Richards, Ryan Smyth and more. He even tells us how pick a proper wine for dinner.
And in rigamarole, we explain why Brian Burke might want to pay some attention to a specific Elvis Presley song. It’s Episode 6.40 of AFITC and it’s coming at you now!
Ahead this week on AFITC, many thought it was a sure thing that the Stanley Cup would be back in Canada for the first time since 1993 but the Boston Bruins said, “Not so fast.” We’ve got extensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals coming up in the Redline Report; what went wrong for the Canucks, are major changes required, where should the blame be focused? AFITC West Coast Correspondent Will Gunton checks in as well with his thoughts on the series and the ugly aftermath that followed on the streets of Vancouver.
We kick off the segment with another Defining Moment in Leafs History, this week featuring an excellent single game performance from Doug Gilmour. Following that, we bring you Leaf Notes with news on Carl Gunnarsson and a big need that Brian Burke needs to fill over the next two weeks. Back Checking touches on the growing speculation of Jaromir Jagr’s return to the NHL and brings some more great Listener Contributions onto the show.
Wrapping the segment, welcome Dallas Stars prospect Alex Guptill back to the program as he gets set to begin his NCAA career with the University of Michigan Wolverines in the fall. Rigamarole wraps the show and pays some well deserved attention to the success of the Boston Bruins. Sit back, enjoy, it’s the Father’s Day edition of AFITC coming at you now!
Ahead this week on AFITC, two horrific performances in Boston from the Vancouver Canucks left us with a series but a rebound performance in game five leaves them one win away from returning the Cup to Canada. What went wrong for the Canucks in Boston? How’d they manage to get back on track? What has to happen for them to win in Boston? We’ve got it covered in the Redline Report. Kicking off the Redline Report is Leaf Notes. We’ll discuss James Reimer’s new deal and how it benefits both sides.
Back Checking brings news on how NBC retaining their Olympic broadcast rights could affect NHL participation in the next Olympics. As well, some great Listener Contributions are on the way from Twitter and Email before the Gong Banger ushers in another Troubling Fact of the Week to wrap the segment.
Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Nick D’Agostino co-hosts the show this week with Dave and Jeff. He shares his thoughts on Vancouver Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev who he played against in Junior A hockey just two years ago including whether you should be surprised he’s been able to make the jump to the NHL so quickly. Nick also gives his opinions of the Stanley Cup Finals, former Cornell University teammate and current Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Scrivens and much more.
Big thanks go out to Nick for devoting an entire evening to the show and doing an absolutely terrific job. Safe to say he’s a better broadcaster than Dave and Jeff are hockey players.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Vancouver Canucks are two wins away from returning the Stanley Cup north of the border for the first time in eighteen years. Goaltending duels, Alex Burrows making an impression on the score sheet and Patrice Beregeron’s finger, sky high TV numbers, a struggling Zdeno Chara, we’re all over the first two games of the Finals in the Redline Report.
Checking in as well is our West Coast Correspondent Will Gunton to update us further on the scene from Vancouver.
Defining Moments in Leafs History kick starts the Redline Report again this week before we look at the possibility of Brad Richards signing with the Leafs.
Wrapping the segment, we shift east to Manitoba and look at the return of the NHL to Winnipeg. In Back Checking, we tell you why regularly picking up hitch hikers might be a good habit to get into; who the new sheriff in town is; get to some Listener Contributions and welcome the Gong Banger back for another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at why Bruins’ Head Coach Claude Julien might not be feeling to confident in his defensemen heading into game three. All that and more coming up on Episode 6.37 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, three rounds down, one to go. The Stanley Cup Finals are set between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins and we’re all over it in the Redline Report. We’ll take you through the path the Canucks and Bruins took to get there, which team holds the edge and what has to happen for both teams to have success.
Wrapping the segment, we check in with Will Gunton, our newly minted West Coast correspondent, to plug us in with the mood in Vancouver as the Canucks continue their march to the Cup.
Kicking off the Redline Report is another Defining Moment In Leafs History, this week featuring the Leafs comeback from a 3-0 series deficit in 1942. Later, Leafs Notes touches on a report that Ron Wilson won’t get a contract extension…just yet. Later in Back Checking, we turned to the listeners for some great contributions from Twitter and Email.
To wrap, we welcome top prospect Lucas Lessio of the Oshawa Generals to the program as he heads towards the NHL Entry Draft coming up in June. And finally, rigamarole concludes the show with a look at why the Stanley Cup Finals in recent times have been very good for the NHL. All that and more coming up right here on Episode 6.36 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Conference Finals are reaching the tipping point. The Vancouver Canucks have the San Jose Sharks on the brink of elimination while the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have been back and forth all series long. We’ll get you caught up on all the action in the Redline Report including Ben Eager’s antics; whether changes are necessary in San Jose if the Sharks bow out and a goaltending controversy in Tampa Bay.
Kick starting the segment is another Defining Moment in Leafs History, this week looking at the hiring of Pat Quinn.
In Back Checking, we turn to our listeners for some contributions via the twitter and email account. The Atlanta Thrashers appear poised to be on the move to Winnipeg. We’ll address that situation as well before welcoming this week’s guest, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Lashoff to talk about the end of the Maple Leafs season, the Eastern Conference Finals and about his burgeoning career as a musician with his debut release “Living on Heart.”
Wrapping the program is rigamarole where we’ll look at the big test Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland suddenly has on his hands. Given his past history though, I’m pretty confident he’s going to pass. This is Episode 6.35 of AFITC.
Make sure you pick up a copy of Matt’s terrific debut release “Living On Heart,” available in the itunes music store or at lashoff.com.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Conference Finals are underway. Sharks and Canucks, Bruins and Lightning; which teams have the edge? We’ll tell you coming up in the Playoff Report. Jeremy Roenick calls Patrick Marleau’s playoff performance “gutless.” Did he cross the line? Was Marleau and Joe Thornton’s performance at the end of the second round enough to shake their playoff choking image? We’re all over it in the Redline Report.
Kicking off the segment is another Defining Moment in Leafs History followed by some news regarding the Leafs ownership. Later is Canadian hockey in crisis mode after a second straight defeat at the World Hockey Champions. Back Checking gets some solid Listener Contributions on the air and the Gong Banger is back with another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Wrapping the program, rigamarole looks at the ultimate determining factor that can bring down great teams. Despite a ten day layoff, the Tampa Bay Lightning showed no signs of rust in a commanding 5-2 defeat of the Boston Bruins in game one which could only mean one thing. Guy Boucher had the WD-40 can working overtime. This is Episode 6.34 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, we look at a second round of the playoffs that hasn’t quite match up with the first. Two sweeps in the Eastern Conference as the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals had their seasons come to a sudden end. Which result was the bigger surprise? Should Bruce Boudreau take the fall in Washington? Just how good could the Flyers have been if they’d had some semblance of a goaltender? We’ll answer those questions coming up in the Redline Report.
The Green Men in Vancouver, a baffling NHL ultimatum, an update on Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships and another Defining Moment in Leafs History round out the segment. In Back Checking, we look at the Calder, Lady Byng and Selke Trophies and the ongoing Coyotes saga before getting to great some Listener Contributions.
Wrapping the segment, AFITC legend Jeff Brown of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires stops by to talk on a variety of topics including head shots and why the OHL banning hits to the head has not led to a reduction in the physicality of the play. Rigamarole concludes the show and explains why the Vancouver Canucks might have already played themselves out of Cup contention even if they get past the Nashville Predators.
Ahead this week on AFITC – the landmark 250th edition – the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is well underway and we’re all over it. We’ll look the end of the first round series involving the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks, whether the rest of the playoffs will live up to the euphoria seen in the first round and some early progress from the second round.
The Redline Report kicks off with another Defining Moment In Leafs History as well as an update on Team Canada at the World Hockey Championship. In Back Checking, we’ll give you our picks for the Jack Adams, Hart, Vezina and Norris Trophies and feature some Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment is the Troubling Fact of the Week where we tell you who had the most disappointing season in the NHL this year.
Rigamarole concludes the show with a look at why defeating the Detroit Red Wings and advancing past the second round is so important for the San Jose Sharks. If I'm a taxpayer in Glendale, Arizona or London, England right now, I would be considering asking the government to stop wasting my money. This is Episode 6.32 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, it’s the Coming Home Edition. Jeff’s back in the country, okay we expected that but nobody was expecting to see the Vancouver Canucks coming home for a game seven. So what happened to them? We’re all over the Canucks vs Blackhawks series in the Redline Report. Later, it’s the year of the comeback. We’ll touch on some shocking results along with notes on the Bruins #1 defenseman Andrew Ference and who people in Winnipeg think is one big zero.
Of course, more dirty hits last week but that kind of goes without saying these days. Suspensions, if any, were lenient. Does that mean it’s open season? We’ll discuss that in the Redline Report after starting the segment with another Defining Moment In Leafs History. Later on, Back Checking features some great tweets, a pair of solid emails and a Troubling Fact of the Week.
Finally, rigamarole wraps the program with a look at how the Nashville Predators distanced themselves from the Phoenix Coyotes and Atlanta Thrashers with their series victory over the Anaheim Ducks. It’s Episode 6.31 of AFITC and its coming your way next!
Ahead this week on AFITC, the NHL playoffs are underway but first, we start the show focusing on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brian Burke held his year end press conference on Tuesday and was as defiant as ever. We’ll touch on the highlights from his remarks and later, look at Phil Kessel’s decision to decline the chance to join Team USA at the World’s because he was tired.
Quick Hits wraps the Redline Report with a look at the two playoff series involving Canadian teams, what needs to happen for the Vancouver Canucks to beat the Chicago Blackhawks and whether the Montreal Canadiens even stand a chance against the Boston Bruins. This week’s Defining Moment in Leaf History looks at the acquisition of a fortune changing netminder…and no we don’t mean James Reimer.
Back Checking get some Listener Contributions via Twitter on the program. Later, NBA commissioner David Stern fines Kobe Bryant $100 000 for a homophobic comment. How does that make NHL fines appear in comparison? To wrap the segment, the voice of the Leafs, Joe Bowen joins us before rigamarole explains what the Vancouver Canucks could have in common with the Ottawa Senators. All that and more coming up on Episode 6.30 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the curtain is drawn on a sixth straight season out of the playoffs for the Toronto Maple Leafs. We’ll take you through the final three games against the Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens to kick start the Redline Report before we look ahead to what the future might hold. World Championship participants and news on Adam Foote, Brian Murray, coaching changes and the rambling, gambling Marty Turco follows in Quick Hits.
This week’s Defining Moment In Leafs History looks at Darryl Sittler’s 10 point night. In Back Checking, Listener Email from Jay, Mark, Alan and Aaron comes your way before we welcome back the Host of “Off The Record” on TSN, Michael Landsberg back to the show for his thoughts on Ron Wilson, James Reimer, head shots, supplementary discipline and more.
Rigamarole wraps show with a look at the difference between success and promise and how they fit in defining the Leafs season. Lots coming your way on the Leafs Season Wrap Edition! Episode 6.29 of AFITC starts now!
Ahead this week on AFITC, it’s down to the crunch for the Toronto Maple Leafs with no room left for error after a perfect week of three wins against the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators.
We’ll take you through the details of those games in the Redline Report after kick starting the segment with another Defining Moment in Leaf History. Quebec City makes it clear they want a team and Eric Belanger of the Phoenix Coyotes says he’d rather go there than Winnipeg. We’ll talk more on that in Quick Hits.
Back Checking points out a major milestone reached by Jarome Iginla this past week and a terrific quote from Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks. Later we turn to you, the listeners, for some great contributions via Twitter, Facebook and Email. The Gong Banger returns to wrap the segment with another Troubling Fact of the Week.
And finally, rigmarole looks at a team that nobody should want to play in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Spring is just around the corner but you’d never know it here in Etobicoke. It’s snowing…in April…come on. This is Episode 6.28 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Maple Leafs’ playoff push appears to finally have run out of steam after a loss in Detroit. We’ll take you through the three game road trip to Minnesota, Colorado and finally Detroit to kick start the Redline Report.
Mike Komesarik’s open ice hit on Mark Olver of the Avalanche, how bad was it? We’ll tell you our thoughts before addressing the suspension handed down to Matt Cooke for his latest transgressions.
Another Defining Moment In Leaf History is on tap at the beginning of the show, this week looking at Mats Sundin’s 500th career goal.
Later in Back Checking, we’ll revisit a comment from earlier in the season about Mike Fisher before turning to you for Listener Contributions from Twitter, Facebook and Email.
Wrapping the segment is long time AFITC contributor Alan Bass, on the show to talk about his first book, “The Great Expansion – the Ultimate Risk That Changed the NHL Forever.”
Rigamarole concludes the show by putting some perspective on the Leafs late season playoff push and points out the biggest lesson that the Leafs need to learn.
According to San Jose Sharks play by play voice Randy Hahn, Kyle Wellwood does not own a cell phone. I wonder if he’s broken down and bought a TV yet. Episode 6.27 of AFITC starts now!
Ahead this week on AFITC, four games for the Toronto Maple Leafs this week but no ground was gained. We'll tell you about games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins and whether the playoffs are still a possibility. Before that though, we’ll revisit a Defining Moment In Leafs History to kick start the Redline Report.
More head shots this week. We’ll look at two more examples to conclude the Redline Report. Back Checking brings some great contributions from Facebook, Twitter and Email. As well, the Gong Banger is along for a Twitter themed Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a further look at the continuing and perhaps, worsening issue of headshots in the NHL. It was St. Patrick's Day on Thursday and US President Barack Obama hosted a St. Patrick's Day event at the White House. Makes sense though, Barack O'Bama is Irish right? This is Episode 6.26 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the playoff race lives to see another day as the Leafs salvaged a disappointing week with a win in a do or die game against the Buffalo Sabres. We’ll take you through the week of Leaf action to begin the Redline Report. After that, we’ll take an extensive look at the now infamous Zdeno Chara hit. Was it malicious or just an unfortunate result? Was it right not to suspend Chara and what changes should this incident bring about?
Back Checking features Listener Contributions from Twitter, Facebook and two great emails from Alan and Aaron. To wrap the segment, the Gong Banger rings in another Troubling Fact of the Week where we look at a contradiction in the advocacy for increased safety in the NHL.
Wrapping the program, rigamarole looks at the Leafs ownership situation and why a passionate, deep pocketed fan type owner like Mark Cuban or Terry Pegula will never own the Leafs. When I buy tickets for concerts, I don’t know about you, but I don’t find the convenience fee very convenient. This is Episode 6.25.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs won two of three games this week to remain in the playoff hunt, now just five points out of eighth spot. We’ll take you through games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks to begin the Redline Report. To wrap the segment, Quick Hits focuses on the premature end to Taylor Hall’s season and this week’s Troubling Fact of the Week.
In Back Checking, we bring the voice of the listeners onto the show with contributions from Facebook, Twitter and two great emails from Cathy and Aaron. Wrapping the segment is Leafs TV host Paul Hendrick who sat down with Dave on Friday to offer some insights straight from the Leafs locker room.
Finally, rigamarole concludes the program with a look at the decisions Brian Burke is facing on several key Leafs’ restricted free agents not named Clarke MacArthur. Stick around there’s lots coming your way on Episode 6.24 of AFITC.
Thanks, as always, to Paul Hendrick for coming on the show. It’s always great getting his insight on the program.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Maple Leafs earned points in all four games this week but should they be satisfied? We’ll take you through the four games against the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Thrashers to kick start the Redline Report. How did this week position the Leafs going forward? We’re all over that question before providing an update on Jonas Gustavsson in the Revolving Door and wrapping the segment with Quick Hits on Sidney Crosby, Eric Staal and Bryan McCabe.
Back Checking brings lots of Listener Contributions from Twitter, Facebook and Email on a variety of subjects including concussions, the Leafs goaltending situation and what Brian Burke should be doing at the trade deadline. The Gong Banger happens by at end of the segment to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at whether Brian Burke should fish or cut bait with the Leafs leading scorer Clarke MacArthur. It’s Oscar Night here on Planet Earth. In just six weeks, we’ll find out if the Maple Leafs playoff push is for real or deserves an Oscar in the category of best impersonation of a playoff team. This is Episode 6.23 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, more trades shake up the Leafs as they entertained a brief dance with playoff aspirations. But after Saturday night’s performance against the Ottawa Senators, those notions should be put to bed.
We'll take you through three games against the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators to begin the Redline Report before examining, in depth, the deals that saw the departure of Kris Versteeg and Tomas Kaberle. The Revolving Door follows with injury updates before Quick Hits talks Peter Forsberg and the increase in individual playoff scoring in the last decade.
Back Checking features a multitude of terrific Listener Contributions from Twitter, Facebook and Email. Later, the Junior Hockey Report follows with news on the conclusion of the St. Michael’s Buzzers season and of course, the Gong Banger stops by to ring in the Troubling Fact of the Week discussing concussion protocol to wrap the segment.
Finally, rigmarole wraps the show with a look at why Tomas Kaberle never was in the Leafs future plans at the conclusion of this season. There’s lots coming your way right here on Episode 6.22 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC – the Goalies Gone Wild Edition – we’ll start with a look back at a busy week for the Toronto Maple Leafs that saw them play four games and endure their first major trade of the season. The details on those games as well as who’s in, who’s out and what it all means are along to kick start the Redline Report. Some injury notes follow in the Revolving Door before we conclude the segment with a look at a potential feud between Ron Wilson and Phil Kessel along with another major trade from the Nation’s capital.
Later in Back Checking, Listener Contributions feature some of your thoughts on the trades made by Brian Burke and Bryan Murray and two great emails from Alan and Aaron on the sudden outbreak of goonery in the NHL. The Junior Hockey Report updates you on two St. Michael’s Buzzers games and the Gong Banger stops by to ring in a goon themed Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at why the mountain is likely too tall to climb for the Maple Leafs to reach the playoff summit. Alex Rodriguez was caught on camera at the Super Bowl with Cameron Diaz feeding him popcorn. While some said it was a moment of embarrassment, I say for any regular guy, being seen having Cameron Diaz feeding you popcorn would be a major accomplishment. This is Episode 6.21 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, just when the Toronto Maple Leafs start to convince people that they’ve turned a corner, reality snaps back in a hurry. We'll take you through two wins over the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes as well as an abyssal effort against the Buffalo Sabres to kick start the Redline Report. Mike Brown resigns, will Clarke MacArthur soon follow? We'll discuss those two players who have been among the few consistent performers for the Leafs this season.
Are the Leafs taking the best course of action with the development of Jerry D'Amigo? We'll address his status before spinning through the Revolving Door and wrapping the segment with Quick Hits on Evgeni Malkin and an NHLPA poll that left some dubious results for the Leafs. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions, the Junior Hockey Report and a not-for-the-faint-of-heart Troubling Fact of the Week.
To wrap the program, rigamarole looks at the core of the Maple Leafs and explains why Brian Burke’s rebuild, so far, has been a bitter disappointment. Toronto’s schools were shut down on Wednesday due to snow. For the record, if we had planned to do a show that day, the snow wouldn’t have stopped us. This is Episode 6.20 of AFITC!
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded the unofficial first half of the season with losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning. We’ll take you through those games to kick start the Redline Report. Has any Leaf overachieved this season? We’ll explore that topic as well as news on the Vancouver Canucks defense, Alex Semin and the All Star Festivities.
Back Checking brings Listener Contributions on a variety of subjects from Twitter, Facebook and Email, the Junior Hockey Report with an update on the one St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week and later, the Gong Banger stops by to ring in an All Star themed Troubling Fact of the Week.
To wrap the show, rigamarole looks at why isn’t necessary to feel bad for Phil Kessel after getting picked last in the NHL All Star Game Draft. Zdeno Chara won the hardest shot with a record blast at 105.9. Is that the speed of a shot or the price of gasoline in Ontario? Episode 6.19 of AFITC starts now!
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Leafs mention the importance of the five games before the All Star Break towards getting back into the playoff race and then respond with two regrettable efforts in three games this week. Why cant the Leafs handle pressure? Well examine that question as we take you through losses to the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals and a win against the Anaheim Ducks to kick start the Redline Report.
The Revolving Door updates some Leaf injuries before Quick Hits wraps the segment with a look at some expensive comments made by LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi and why this year is turning into the year of the waiver claim.
Back Checking features Listener Contributions from Twitter, Facebook and a great email about Martin Brodeur, news on Peter Forsberg and Ray Emery, the Junior Hockey Report and the return of the Gong Banger with another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at the heartwarming reception Saku Koivu received in his return to Montreal on Saturday night.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Leafs conclude a busy week with losses to the Phoenix Coyotes and Calgary Flames but not before equaling their season high win streak of four games with victories over the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks earlier in the week. We’ll take you through those games to begin the Redline Report. James Reimer and Mike Brown up for discussion as well before Quick Hits looks at whether or not Ron Wilson’s little cash incentive in San Jose was such a bad thing.
Back Checking gets lots of good Listener Contributions onto the show from Twitter and Facebook as well as a great email from Aaron Balsillie. The acquisition of Fabian Brunnstrom and the continuing epidemic of head shots in the NHL, two points that Aaron touches on in his email, are also up for discussion in this segment.
Following that, the Junior Hockey Report comes your way with an update on one St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week. Finally, the Gong Banger’s off again this week so instead we welcome Matt Reiter of “Matt’s Musings” to the show to talk all things Leaf.
To wrap the program, rigamarole focuses on one of the most painfully stupid things in the NHL. Stick around, lots coming your way on Episode 6.17 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs hit all kinds of extremes this week with a narrow loss to the Boston Bruins, a sloppy victory over the St. Louis Blues and a blowout win against the Atlanta Thrashers. We’ll guide you through those games to kick start the Redline Report. The Revolving Door welcomes several new members to the Leafs injury list. Later in Quick Hits, Sidney Crosby is on the shelf. We’ll tell you for how long and discuss how Jack Johnson’s contract extension with the LA Kings could impact Luke Schenn.
In Back Checking, Canada’s Juniors choked against Russia but is it fair to criticize them as we would a pro team in a similar situation because of their youth and inexperience? We’ll touch on that along with bringing some Listener Contributions onto the show via Email, Twitter and Facebook. The Junior Hockey Report features news on two St. Michael’s Buzzers games from the past week and the Gong Banger stops by to wrap the segment with another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a further look at Team Canada’s collapse at the World Junior Hockey Championships and explains why looking for an excuse just is not necessary. Stick around, lots coming your way on Episode 6.16 of AFITC.
We’re turning it to eleven today on the first show of the New Year. Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs struggled through another week with losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets until laying a sound beating on the Ottawa Senators. What would we do without the Senators? We’ll touch on those games and other Leaf news including a trade rumor to kick start the Redline Report. Later to wrap the segment, the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired some depth in goal this week. We’ll tell you who, and how it affects the trade market going forward.
Back Checking features a discussion on the World Junior Hockey Championships and why it might not be all that it’s cracked up to be as well as Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. Later, the Gong Banger checks in with another Troubling Fact of the Week pertaining to a ringing endorsement of one Maple Leafs’ player from General Manager Brian Burke.
Rigamarole concludes the show with a look at the NHL’s Winter Classic on New Year’s Day from Heinz Field and suggests an idea that might make the whole event just that much better. Leaf fans exhale and rejoice; your team has not lost yet this year. This is Episode 6.15 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Maple Leafs benefitted from a very light stretch of games around Christmas but were they able to take advantage? We’ll cover the two games against the Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils to begin the Redline Report. Later in Quick Hits, two significant injuries occurred that could actually benefit the Leafs. We’ll tell you who and why before touching on a coaching change and who has been a bigger disappointment this season: Alex Ovechkin or Ilya Kovalchuk.
Back Checking brings Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email, a brief edition of the Junior Hockey Report with news on one St. Michael’s Buzzers game and another edition of the Troubling Fact of the Week.
Finally rigamarole looks at the importance of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night and why excuses are no longer an option at this point for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The new year is almost here; will this be the year for more cheers? We can only hope. This is Episode 6.14 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on the Christmas Edition of AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs exacted some revenge over the Edmonton Oilers but finished up an otherwise disappointing Western Canadian road swing with losses to the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. We’ll take you through those games to being the Redline Report before taking a spin through the Revolving Door with news on a key injury to the Leafs line up.
To wrap the Redline Report, Quick Hits features news on Chris Pronger and a new Executive Director for the NHLPA. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions onto the show from Twitter and Email. As well, the Junior Hockey Report follows with news on two St. Michael’s Buzzers games. Concluding the segment, we welcome York University Lions forward Cassidy Preston for a fireside chat.
Rigamarole brings an end to the show as usual, this week taking a look at the position the Leafs find themselves in after thirty two games and what the future is likely to hold for this season. Hop into your favorite rocking chair and grab a glass of Christmas cheer, the Christmas Edition of AFITC is here.
Ahead this week on AFITC, a busy week of four games saw the Toronto Maple Leafs bookend a pair of losses with victories to start and finish the week. We’ll take you through the details of games against the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens to kick start the Redline Report.
Later, Jonas Gustavsson has been showing noticeable displeasure after allowing goals by smashing his stick against the goal post. Is this a bad thing? We’ll discuss that as well as taking a spin through the Revolving Door and touching on an incident involving Matt Carkner of the Ottawa Senators.
Back Checking brings Listener Email, the Junior Hockey Report and the return of the Gong Banger in the Troubling Fact of the Week.
To wrap the show, rigamarole explains why Clarke MacArthur is very similar to Domenic Moore and why the fact that he’s leading the Leafs in scoring isn’t a good thing. Stick around, there’s magic coming your way on Episode 6.12 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs continued their downward spiral in losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers before salvaging their week with a victory over the Boston Bruins. We’ll take you through all the details to kick start the Redline Report. Has the team quit on Ron Wilson and how much longer until Brian Burke starts to become a regular target of criticism? We’ll touch on those topics as well as the story that broke earlier in the week suggesting Rogers Communications was looking to buy the Leafs.
Back Checking features some great Listener Contributions from the past week from the Twitter and Email accounts. The Junior Hockey Report follows with updates on two St. Michael’s Buzzers losses from the past week. To wrap the segment, we welcome back to the program platinum award winning artist John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting to talk about the growth of hockey in California in recent times, the resurgence of the Los Angeles Kings and much more.
To wrap the show, rigamarole examines how much worse things need to get before the Toronto Maple Leafs make major changes. Stick around, there’s lots coming your way on Episode 6.11 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs started the week with success against the Dallas Stars but then returned to their discouraging ways in losses to the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. We’ll take you through those three games to kick start the Redline Report before spinning through the Revolving Door with updates on three injured Leafs. Later, Quick Hits wraps the segment with rumors of a possible return to action for Chris Chelios.
An ambitious edition of Back Checking comes your way next with some great Listener Contributions via Twitter and Email followed by the Junior Hockey Report with news on four St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week. To wrap the segment, we welcome back the Host of the NHL on TSN James Duthie for his much anticipated return to AFITC.
Finally in rigamarole, we wrap the program with a look at whether the Leafs are in a better position now than they were two years ago when Brian Burke took over as President and General Manager. Stick around, lots coming your way when Episode 6.10 of AFITC begins now.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs got back on track after an eight game losing streak, winning two of three games. We’ll take you through the details of wins over the Nashville Predators and the New Jersey Devils along with a loss to the Montreal Canadiens to begin the Redline Report. The Revolving Door updates three injured Leafs before Quick Hits features news on a coaching change, a trade and the very dicey situation that NHL VP Colin Campbell found himself in last week.
Back Checking turns to the listeners as we feature more great tweets and three solid emails from Richard, Alan and Aaron. The Junior Hockey Report covers the lone St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week. As well, we’ll play you back a brief interview with Team Canada East silver medalist Jesse Beamish where he recalls his experience at the World Junior A Challenge. The Gong Banger stops by as well to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week.
And finally in rigamarole, we wrap the show on a somber note with a look at the impact that the late Pat Burns had on hockey in Toronto. All that coming your way on Episode 6.9 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, have the Toronto Maple Leafs reached a new low. Three more losses this week stretched their losing streak to eight games. We’ll take you through a zero for Florida stretch and a disheartening loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Later in the Redline Report, we address comments from JS Giguere where he called out the compete level of his teammates, the possible departure of Richard Peddie from MLSE, and the new format for the 2011 NHL All Star Game.
Back Checking gets the listeners involved when we feature some great contributions received this week through Twitter and Email, one of which, dare we say, is an “Email of the Year Candidate.” The Junior Hockey Report follows with news on the St. Michael’s Buzzers and Team Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge. To wrap the segment, the Gong Banger is back for another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Wrapping the show, we turn to rigamarole and discuss whether or not Nazem Kadri’s call up was the most intelligent course of action for Brian Burke to take in order to get the Leafs out of their protracted slide. All that and more coming up on Episode 6.8 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their troubling downward spiral after such a promising start. We get you caught up on all the details from three more games – all of them losses – from the past week to begin the Redline Report with Leaf Notes. The Revolving Door features news on injured Leafs Colby Armstrong and Dion Phaneuf. Wrapping the Redline Report is Quick Hits where we discuss Patrick Roy’s feud with Lightning Head Coach Guy Boucher, a suspension to Joe Thornton and whether players should be allowed to be on Twitter.
Back Checking brings some fine Listener Contributions to the program from Twitter and Email. The Junior Hockey Report brings you up to date on a pair of St. Michael’s Buzzers games from the past week. Later the Gong Banger stops by to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week, this week focusing on the success of a former Maple Leaf.
Finally, rigamarole examines two things that have become very clear about the Toronto Maple Leafs through the first thirteen games of the regular season. We just turned the clocks back an hour here in Ontario as daylight savings time came to an end, think the Leafs might want to turn them back a month? This is Episode 6.7 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, where have all the goals gone? After scoring sixteen goals through their first four games, the Toronto Maple Leafs offense has dried up producing only seven goals in the last six games. Not surprising, their early season success has dried up too. We’ll take you through three games this past week against the Panthers, Bruins and Rangers to kick start the Redline Report. Later, the Revolving Door follows with an update on the first injured Leaf of the season and how it will impact the team.
Quick Hits wraps the Redline Report with a discussion on cheerleaders. Should Canadian NHL teams have them and would their presence be enough to get you out to a game if you otherwise wouldn’t be going. Back Checking gets the voice of the listeners onto the program with some good contributions via twitter and two solid emails from Nathan and Alan. The Junior Hockey Report follows with news on two St. Michael’s Buzzers games and tells you who from the Buzzers will represent Team Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge.
The Gong Banger is along to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week at the end of Back Checking. Rigamarole wraps the show as always and takes a shot at boring hockey, something I think we’ve been seeing way too much of lately. Where have all the personalities and characters gone? By the way for those scoring at home, if the playoffs started today, the Leafs would be golfing. Episode 6.6 of AFITC starts now.
Ahead this week on AFITC, is the sky falling? Four straight Maple Leafs wins give way to three straight losses. So which version of the Leafs is the real one? We’ll tell you coming up in the Redline Report while we look back at games against the New York Islanders, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers. Later in Quick Hits, Rick Rypien gets six games for an altercation with a fan. We’ll examine that situation as well as a staggeringly curious decision regarding Ilya Kovalchuk.
Back Checking gets your voice on the show with numerous contributions via Twitter and three great emails from Stuart, Alan and Aaron. The Junior Hockey Report follows with a look back at three St. Michael’s Buzzers games from the past week. To wrap the segment the Gong Banger returns with another edition of the Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at why all is not lost for the Maple Leafs despite three straight losses and what needs to happen in order to get back on track. All that and more coming your way when Episode 6.5 of AFITC begins now.
Four games into the season and so far the Toronto Maple Leafs remain unbeaten. Who would have thought that? Honestly not us. So how’ve they done it? We’ll give you our thoughts when we recap the two games this week against the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers to begin the Redline Report.
Later in Quick Hits, inappropriate gestures equal hits from behind, at least in the amount of games the two crimes earn for punishment. Is that right? We opine on that before getting to news on Kirk Maltby and Joe Thornton.
In Back Checking, we bring your voice onto the program by sharing some contributions from the Twitter account and email. The Junior Hockey Report follows with news on the one St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week. To wrap the segment, we welcome back to the program Detroit Red Wings prospect Brendan Smith.
Rigamarole wraps the proceedings with a look at some of the key reasons for the success of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the early going this regular season. For context on how long it’s been since the Maple Leafs started a season 4-0, the last time it happened, Jeff and I were seven years old. This is Episode 6.4 of AFITC.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the regulars season is finally underway and what a start it was for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Two straight wins at home over the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators have the Leafs in first place overall. But will it last? We'll take you through both games and examine in detail why the Leafs had success to kick start the Redline Report.
To wrap the segment in Quick Hits, we look at the confusing situation of Panthers’ prospect Erik Gudbranson. Good enough to make the team out of camp but so why is he back in the OHL? News on a contract extension for Zdeno Chara and the newly appointed captain of the Vancouver Canucks follows as well in Quick Hits. Back Checking features a healthy dose of listener contributions via twitter and emails from Cathy, Andre, Alan and Aaron. In the Junior Hockey Report, we hear from St. Michael’s Buzzers George Grammenopoulos, Mark Cooper, Dan Ciampini and Coach Rich Ricci as we update the results of three Buzzers games from the past week.
The Gong Banger punches in at the end of the segment with another Troubling Fact of the Week. To wrap the show, rigamarole turns the NHL’s standings from a year ago upside down. It’s early in the season, the Leafs are rolling and now so too are we on Episode 6.3 of AFITC!
Ahead this week on AFITC, we kick start the show with a look back at the Leafs last four preseason games. A 5-3-1 record after nine games, what did you make of the preseason? We’ll tell you our take in the Redline Report.
Later, Quick Hits looks at the retirement of Darcy Tucker and whether teams should be on the hook for buyout money if bought out players sign with another team; the Montreal Canadiens Captaincy situation and what makes a former player a good television analyst.
Back Checking checks in with some feedback from the Twitter account. Following that, the Junior Hockey Report brings you up to date on two more St. Michael’s Buzzers games and announces two Buzzers that will attend the Team Canada East World Junior A Challenge Evaluation Camp. Of course, the Gong Banger stops by at the end of the segment with another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Finally, rigamarole takes a look back at three pleasant surprises from the Maple Leafs preseason. Three pleasant surprises were nice to see, let’s hope there’s more where that came from once the regular season begins. This is Episode 6.2 of AFITC.
The long awaited return of AFITC is finally here as we kick start Season Six of the program today. Ahead on the show, we take a look back at a busy stretch of five games in five nights for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Redline Report and touch on the strengths and weaknesses that we’ve noticed to this point.
Later in the segment, a spin through the Revolving Door updates the statuses on a pair of injured Leafs before Quick Hits winds down the Redline Report with a look at whether goaltending salaries in the NHL are completely out of whack, whether Carey Price got whacked in the head one too many times during the off season and whether Lou Lamoriello will want to give himself a whack down the road for the absurdly high price paid for Ilya Kovalchuk.
New segment Back Checking continues the show by bringing the word of our listeners to the forefront with some great Listener Email and contributions from the Twitter account. Should Nazem Kadri make the Leafs out of training camp? We’ll share our opinion and via Twitter, you certainly shared yours! The Junior Hockey Report follows as we bring you up to date on the St. Michael’s Buzzers regular season campaign thus far before the Gong Banger makes his triumphant return with the season’s first Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole will wrap the proceedings with a look at Nazem Kadri’s performance in training camp and when carrying yourself with a swagger turns from confidence to entitlement. For those unsure, that’s not a good thing. We never do that on the show, we’re just kind of unreal. No big deal or anything. This is the Season Six premiere of AFITC!
This year, the annual AFITC Year End Awards Gala is back and better than ever as we hand out a record twelve awards for some of the best that was during Season Five of the program. The categories include Phrase of the Year, Word of the Year, Email of the Year, Emailer of the Year, Moonlighter of the Year, Irreverent Moment of the Year, Rant of the Year, Debate of the Year, Whipping Boy of the Year, AFITC Leaf Player of the Year, Rigamarole of the Year and Guest of the Year. We mix in four outstanding songs from Season Five throughout the Gala as well as a bonus “Lifetime Achievement Award” to complete this year’s proceedings.
So sit back, enjoy, and pour yourself a martini; the red carpet has been rolled out for the best of Season Five of AFITC!
Season Six of the program will begin on September 26th, 2010. Be sure to continue sending us emails throughout the summer time at afootinthecrease@gmail.com and following us on Twitter @AFITC. Become an AFITC Insider as well at A Foot In The Crease Fans on Facebook.
Well here it is, we’ve reached the end of Season Five but don’t expect us to go out without a bang. Coming up on the show, the Maple Leafs continued to augment their roster through trades and free agency over the past week. We’ll tell you who’s out, who’s in and what you can expect from the newcomers. Later in the Redline Report, we take a spin through the Revolving Door and finish the segment with Quick Hits featuring a prominent retirement, news on notable signings from around the league and a head scratching case from the world of minor hockey.
On The Bubble is dripping with quality on this episode. Firstly, we welcome back Pittsburgh Penguins prospect and current Cornell University Big Red defenseman Nick D’Agostino to the program. Listener Contributions follow with a great group of Tweets and Emails received in the last week. To wrap the segment, we turn to our closer for the third year in a row, the host of “Off The Record” on TSN, Michael Landsberg who gives his thoughts on free agency, Darryl Sutter, the Toronto Maple Leafs and much more.
To wind down the final episode of Season Five, rigamarole takes a further look at how two of the Maple Leafs new additions will fit into their line up next season. If there was ever a sign that enough was enough with the hockey talk for the summer, the five straight days over 38 degree Celsius weather in Toronto might just have been it. This is the Season Finale of AFITC!
Having reached the conclusion of Season Five, we must thank the many people who have helped us out this season and been so generous with their time in helping to make our show better. To Fred Cassiani, Jeff Brown, Bob McKenzie, Paul Hendrick, Jesse Beamish, Dan Ciampini, Alex Guptill, Julian Melchiori, Steve Beyers, Andy Frost, Nick D’Agostino and Michael Landsberg, thank you all so much!
Thanks to everyone who took time to send us an email, post in the AFITC Insiders Group or tweet with us on Twitter throughout the season. Hearing perspectives on stories from a variety of listeners every week gives our show so many more interesting dynamics that simply hearing Dave and Jeff. Your contributions add interest to the show and inspire further discussion on topics we have covered which certainly improves the program. Thank you all so much.
To all those who were content to just download the show each week and listen; thank you to all of you. Knowing so many people rely on, expect and look forward to each week’s episode makes it very easy to put in the work to make it happen. Thanks to all of you for the incredible support you give to our program!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Taylor, Tyler, Taylor, Tyler…Taylor. At long last, finally we have a decision from the Edmonton Oilers as to who would become the first overall selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and it was Taylor Hall. We’re all over the draft this week in the Redline Report including what the Leafs did on the draft floor in Los Angeles. As well, we cover a variety of coaching appointments, key signings and trades from around the league and the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2010 later in Quick Hits.
On The Bubble features an array of Listener Contributions from Twitter, the Insiders Group and Emails from Steve and Aaron. Alex Guptill, who appeared on Episode 5.38 of the program, was drafted 77th overall by the Dallas Stars. We’ll hear a conversation he had with Dave moments after getting the news to kick start the segment. To wrap On The Bubble, the Gong Banger returns after a five week vacation with the Troubling Fact of the Week.
Rigamarole concludes the show with a look at why it might be a good thing that Tomas Kaberle remains a Toronto Maple Leaf, at least for the time being. What a week it was here in Toronto and no, for once, it had nothing to do with hockey. This is Episode 5.41 of AFITC.
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the action on the ice is over which means the action in the general managers’ offices is heating up. Some significant trades went down over the past week including the Canadiens shipping out one of their netminders. We`ll talk about all the trades, signings, buyouts, and coaching appointments coming up in the Redline Report.
As well, to kick off the segment, we`ll discuss the appointment of Dion Phaneuf as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs in a splashy ceremony last Monday. In On The Bubble, we feature Listener Contributions from the twitter account on a variety topics at the beginning of the segment. To wrap, we play you back part two of Maple Leafs’ public address announcer Andy Frost’s interview.
Rigamarole concludes the show as always with a look at the problems facing the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and why it might not take much for another team to pry some key ingredients away. Sit back and enjoy, it’s the Father’s Day edition; Episode 5.40 of AFITC starts now.
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Forty nine years up, forty nine years down. The Chicago Blackhawks finally ended the longest Stanley Cup drought in the NHL defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games earlier this week. We’ll take you through the Cup Finals and touch on just how successful a series it was not only for the Blackhawks, but the NHL as a whole in the Redline Report. Before that though, we kick start the show as always with Leaf Notes with some news on Nik Kulemin. Quick Hits this week features news on new coaches in Columbus and Tampa Bay and a retirement in San Jose.
To wrap the Redline Report, we welcome long time friend of the podcast Andy Frost back to the show to share his thoughts on the top stories going on right now in the world of the Toronto Maple Leafs. On The Bubble brings Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email along with our final interview in our series of prospect appearances as Steven Beyers, the one hundred and ninety ninth ranked skater among North American skaters for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft joins us on the show.
And finally, rigamarole concludes the show with a look at the positively stupid comments of Adam Burish in a post game interview soon after winning the Stanley Cup.
Special thanks to Andy Frost and Steven Beyers for joining us this week on the program. Don’t miss “Quick Hits” with Andy Frost on next week’s show!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Stanley Cup Finals appear to be on the verge of becoming an epic series. Tied at two games apiece, we’ll take you through the first four games and tell you what to expect going forward to start the Redline Report. Before that though, Leaf Notes touches on the potential imminent departure of Tomas Kaberle. Quick Hits wraps the segment with three noteworthy signings and the inaugural winner of the GM of the Year Award.
In On The Bubble, Listener Contributions from Twitter and the Insiders Group are at hand. The Gong Banger is on hiatus once again this week to make room for this week’s guest, Alex Guptill, the 99th ranked skater among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
And finally, rigamarole wraps the show with a look at what needs to happen for the Chicago Blackhawks to regain control of the Stanley Cup Finals. This is Episode 5.38 of AFITC.
Big thanks to Alex Guptill for joining us this week on the program!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
This week on AFITC, we kick off our coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers with a look back at a wild and crazy game one. Before that though, the Redline Report kicks off with Leaf Notes with news on the signing of a defenseman, the progress of contract talks with Nik Kulemin and the potential of a new member to the front office. Later Quick Hits wraps the segment with news on Steve Yzerman, Jiri Hudler, Adam Foote, Jiri Tlusty and the sites for two outdoor games in 2011.
Brendan Smith, one of our first player guests on the program back in season two, signed a three year deal with the Detroit Red Wings this past week. In On The Bubble, we’ll play back part of a conversation he had with Dave shortly after signing the deal. Of course Listener Contributions follow from Email and Twitter. To conclude, in our continuing series of prospect interviews, we welcome Newmarket Hurricanes defenseman Julian Melchiori to the program.
And finally, rigamarole wraps the show with a look at the potential ratings boondoggle the Stanley Cup Finals could be for the NHL. Finally, after a five day layoff, the Finals are underway and now, so too are we right here on Episode 5.37 of AFITC.
Big thanks to Julian Melchiori for joining us on the program this week!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Conference Finals near a conclusion with one team through to the finals while another sits poised to advance. We’ll break down the happenings from the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the Redline Report. Also, the Maple Leafs are poised to sign a European prospect. We’ll tell you who and what can be expected of him coming up in Leafs Notes. Quick Hits wraps the Redline Report with news on Nick Backstrom, Dale Talon and the conclusion to the World Hockey Championships.
On The Bubble highlights some great Listener Contributions from the past week via Twitter, Email and the Insiders Group. Was the IIHF wrong to criticize Sidney Crosby for taking a pass at the Worlds? We’ll discuss it here. To wrap the segment, St. Michael’s Buzzers Captain Dan Ciampini makes a guest appearance discussing his breakout season and much more.
Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at why a potential Stanley Cup Finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers is bad news for Leaf fans. Stick around, there’s lots coming your way on Episode 5.36 of AFITC.
Special thanks to Dan Ciampini for joining us on this week’s program!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Did that really happen? One of the most unpredictable playoff rounds in recent memory wrapped up with some very surprising results. We’ll take you through the end of the second round and tee up the Conference Finals in the Redline Report. Before that though, the Maple Leafs added some stability to their front office for the next two seasons. We’ll explain how in Leaf Notes. Quick Hits wraps the Redline Report with news on Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships, Patrice Cormier, Kari Lehtonen and the Coyotes future in Phoenix.
In On The Bubble, we turn to some great Listener Contributions from the Twitter, Email and the Insiders Group. The Gong Banger stops by later in the segment to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week before giving way to this week’s guest: St. Michael’s Buzzers Assistant Captain Jesse Beamish, the 159th ranked player among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting heading into the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
And finally, rigamarole looks at two astonishing results from the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Where would the Habs be if they didn't have PK Subban for Hal Gill and Andre Markov and the Flyers if Michael couldn’t take over Leighton game 5?
Big thanks to Jesse Beamish for joining us this week on the program. All the best at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft Jesse!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs reaches the tipping point with one team already through to the next round and three more poised to join. We’ll touch on each of the four series and some of the biggest stories to emerge from them to kick start the Redline Report.
Later, Quick Hits looks at the progress of Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships and the nominees for two more NHL Awards. Should countries be allowed to use players born in other countries but have changed citizenships on their teams? The Italian team is using nine Canadian born players. A good debate on the topic ensued.
In On The Bubble, we turn the show over to you and focus on Listener Contributions from Twitter, Email and the Insiders Group. Wrapping the segment, the Gong Banger returns from a week’s hiatus with another Troubling Fact of the Week.
Shockingly, down three games to one in their series against the Chicago Blackhawks, rigamarole takes a look at why the Vancouver Canucks are facing some real problems in the future. It’s the Mother’s Day Edition so today we say to all the mothers out there something we just don’t say enough. Simply, thank you. This is Episode 5.34 of AFITC.
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs is underway and so is another edition of AFITC. This week, the Maple Leafs sign yet another netminder. We`ll tell you who and how he fits into the future plans to kick start the Redline Report. Later we take a look back at the first round and tee up what to expect in the second round.
Quick Hits wraps the Redline Report with news on the coaching situations in New Jersey and Buffalo along with the nominees for the Masterton, Adams, NHL Foundation and Hart Trophies. In On The Bubble, we feature Listener Contributions from Twitter, email and the Insiders Group.
Leafs TV Host Paul Hendrick is our guest this week as he helps us take a look back at the Maple Leafs season that was. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at why Montreal Canadiens fans should be pleased with their team regardless of their result in round two against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Stick around, lots coming your way right here on Episode 5.33 of AFITC.
Big thanks go out to Paul Hendrick for taking some time to join us on this week’s program!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
It’s our second show of the playoffs. Today on Episode 5.32, we get you caught up on the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, all the surprises, all the disappointments, all the triumphs, it’s all right here. Leaf Notes will kick start the Redline Report though with news on the further augmentation to the Leafs goaltending situation.
It’s playoff talk after that followed by Quick Hits with news on Daniel Alfredsson as well as the nominees for the Calder, Selke, Vezina and Lady Bing Trophies. In On The Bubble, we feature Listener Contributions from the Twitter account, the Insiders Group and Email. To wrap the segment, the legend himself, the Gong Banger stops by to ring in the Troubling Fact of the Week.
Finally, rigamarole wraps the show with a look at where some order has been restored after a confusing start to the first round.
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and so is our coverage on AFITC. Coming up this week, we get you up to date on some Leaf Notes regarding Jonas Gustavsson, Dion Phaneuf and the status of impending free agents to kick start the Redline Report. Later, we address the progress of the eight first round match ups and look at a few of the bigger stories from the early part of the playoffs including Andy Sutton`s controversial hit on Jordan Leopold.
Quick Hits wrap the Redline Report with news on firings in Atlanta and Tampa Bay, the end of an era in the Dallas Stars’ net and some rather strong feelings from Edmonton Oilers’ Head Coach Pat Quinn. On The Bubble brings Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email, the Junior Hockey Report that wraps our coverage of the Buckland Cup Championship and an appearance from the Gong Banger in a head scratching edition of the Troubling Fact of the Week.
Remarkable parity through the early part of the first round of the playoffs. We’ll tell you just how close it has been in the segment that we call rigamarole. Stick around. All that and more coming your way when Episode 5.31 of AFITC begins now!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
It’s a quick turnaround for us this week as Episode 5.30 comes just five days after our last show. This week, we’ll wrap up the Toronto Maple Leafs regular season with a look back at their two final games and assess the prospects heading into next season. Quick Hits will wrap the Redline Report with news on the 2011 All Star Game, Keith Tkachuk and Alex Kovalev.
On The Bubble brings a few brief Listener Contributions along with the Junior Hockey Report in which we’ll update the progress of the Buckland Cup Championship between the Newmarket Hurricanes and the Oakville Blades. The Gong Banger wraps the segment with another edition of the Troubling Fact of the Week.
Finally rigamarole brings an end to the program with a look at the play of the enigmatic Christian Hanson. No Leaf again for the next six months but really, isn’t everybody used to this feeling by now? This is Episode 5.30 of AFITC.
Dave's "Round One Playoff Picks" available in the AFITC Insiders Group. Check them out and give us your opinions!
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
A day late and a dollar short with this week’s episode, we intend to make up for our tardiness with a jam packed show. Kicking off the Redline Report, we’ll take a look back at four Toronto Maple Leaf games against the Atlanta Thrashers, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers. Notes regarding new jerseys, an award nomination for Jonas Gustavsson and the alleged drama between Ron Wilson and Tomas Kaberle concludes Leaf Notes.
The Revolving Door follows with news on the injury situations of Phil Kessel and Mike Van Ryn. Quick Hits wraps the Redline Report with news on two signings and two suspensions from around the NHL. On The Bubble features some solid Listener Contributions via Twitter and Email before the Junior Hockey Report updates the progress of the CCHL Champion Newmarket Hurricanes on their quest for the Buckland Cup.
You can follow The CCHL on Twitter for regular updates on the progress of the Buckland Cup Championship.
As usual, the Gong Banger stops by with the Troubling Fact of the Week at the end of On The Bubble. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at why it is time for the Leafs to say goodbye to Tomas Kaberle.
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.
Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ late season surge continues with two wins in three games. We’ll guide you through the results of those games against the Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers and New York Rangers to begin the Redline Report. Later, the Leafs are looking at bringing Mats back from Europe. Good idea? We’ll opine on that before concluding the segment with Quick Hits featuring news on Darcy Tucker, Marc Savard’s reaction to the blindside hit he took from Matt Cooke and the playoff races in both the Eastern and Western Conference.
On The Bubble brings Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email, an update on the progress of the CCHL Final between the Newmarket Hurricanes and Bowmanville Eagles and an appearance from the Gong Banger in another edition of the Troubling Fact of the Week.
To wrap, we look at two players who have had a big hand the Leafs’ solid March and why their strong play might not be all good news at this point. Stick around, lots to come right here on Episode 5.28 of AFITC.
Become an AFITC Insider by joining on Facebook. Send along listener email to afootinthecrease@gmail.com. A Foot In The Crease is now on Twitter as @AFITC. Follow our show for hockey news and updates on the show itself.