By Dan Robertson
April 4, 2012

I understand the header for this column is weak but it’s the best I can do, considering how I’ll be bouncing around from topic to topic. Let’s start with the QMJHL. Too many teams make the playoffs: 16 of 17 this year, 16 of 18 next year, when the Sherbrooke Phoenix enter the league. I have heard the argument that players on thoroughly overmatched teams benefit from the experience of playing in the post season. I disagree. Cape Breton finished 54 points behind Saint John this season and was forced to meet the Sea Dogs in round one. The Eagles were outscored 34-8 in the four-game sweep, including a 13-4 thrashing on national television. How can any player on either team benefit from that? Twelve teams should make the play-offs but that will never happen.

Here’s something I find extremely annoying: hockey teams that hide the truth about player injuries. The media was told that Moncton Wildcats leading scorer Alex Saulnier was day-to-day with the flu in round one against the Mooseheads. The 19 year-old missed all four games in the Halifax sweep. It must have been the 120 hour flu, less commonly known than the 24 hour version of the ailment. And virtually every team at every level does that type of thing. It’s tiring.

Steve Gillard’s goal in game three versus Moncton was his first since October 1, 2009. That’s remarkable in itself, considering the 19 year-old’s skating ability…you’d think he would have fluked one in somewhere along the line. When Gillard does it, he does it right. He embarrassed a defender and undressed Roman Will in net on the play, leaving suspended Mooseheads Konrad Abeltshauser and Darcy Ashley giggling and shaking their heads in the stands. 

Jonathan Drouin is 16 but plays with the poise of a 19 year-old. Most rookies are content with playing their position, not making any mistakes and trying to fit in but Drouin plays with a great deal of confidence. I can’t wait to watch him develop over the next few years.

I hate this comparison, but I am left with no choice. Nathan MacKinnon has been unfairly linked with Sydney Crosby too many times. But MacKinnon’s drive - how he forces himself to become the focal point almost every time he’s on the ice and his ever-pumping, churning legs - always bring Crosby to mind. When you combine that desire with an incredible skill level, you get a special player. Speaking of comparisons: remember when Marty Frk was selected by Halifax in the import draft? Many called him a Cam Neely-type player. I’ve yet to see any evidence of that. Once he stops weaving with the puck through neutral ice, he will be much better off. He has the second-hardest slapshot of any Moosehead ever, behind only the massive Milan Jurcina, who could probably palm a medicine ball with those enormous mitts.

How good is Zach Fucale? I’m no goalie expert but Rick Knickle is. Knickle is the head amateur scout for the Phoenix Coyotes. Upon seeing Fucale in Moncton, Knickle commented on how the 16 year-old makes things look easy. He says Fucale reads the play so quickly and has the confidence to not commit to a shot by dropping to his knees when he doesn’t have to, keeping his back straight and shoulders square to the shooter all the while. Knickle played pro for a long time, the highlight being 14 games in net with the L.A. Kings in the early 90’s. He backboned some great teams with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 1970’s. Of course, Knickle was impressed by Nathan MacKinnon, too, but hopes the Coyotes are in no position to pick him when the 2013 draft rolls around.

Between NBL Canada, AUS, CIS and CCAA, it was busy March with basketball productions here at EastLink TV. The Halifax Rainmen pushed the Lodon Lightning to the brink, losing the final series in five games. I think a challenge for Halifax is to retain as many of their core players as possible from this past season. Fans don’t like having to get acquainted with a new group of players every year, let alone during the season. The one player they need to keep above all others? Joey Haywood. He constantly smiles, he played at SMU and he is fun to watch.

I like Micheal Ray Richardson but sometimes he is a bit much. After the Lightning won the championship with a game five victory, he grabbed the microphone and told the crowd in London that when he was offered the job, he told the owner ‘You got the right man’. A little humility goes a long way. But he can still shoot the rock, as he proved during the legends game during all-star weekend. He drained a handful of LONG three-pointers. Speaking of the all-star weekend, skills competitions are fun. Dunk-offs are cool, too. But all-star games have to go. With each passing year, in every sport they become more irrelevant.

We were lucky this basketball season to acquire the services of Les Berry. Berry, a former standout coach with the Acadia Axemen and Halifax Rainmen, joined Cecil Wright and me calling game four of the Halifax/London series, as well as the events during all-star weekend. He did a great job and I’m hoping he can help us again next year. He offers the expertise only a coach can.

How about the Carleton Ravens? As long as Dave Smart coaches them, everyone else in Canada is playing for second place. Still, how do scream at your players when you’re up 20 in the first half of the national championship game? Whatever works, I guess. The CCAA championship game at the NSAC in Bible provided a provided a genuine, touching moment. After the Mohawk Mountaineers beat the Mount Royal Cougars in the title game, winning head coach Brian Jonker walked to the stands and shared a tearful embrace with his wife, who wore a t-shirt with the words “HEAD COACH’S WIFE” on the front.

For me, April brings two great sporting events to the forefront: The Masters and the return of Major League Baseball. I like the Jays but can’t share the enthusiasm that a lot of people have shown for them. They just don’t have the starting pitching. Only Rickey Romero is a sure thing. Brandon Morrow looks like Steve Carlton once a month and looks like Steve Blass (look it up) the rest of the time. Okay, maybe that’s a bit harsh, but you get the point. Henderson Alvarez is exciting but unproven. Dustin McGowan can’t stay healthy and Brett Cecil is the second coming of Gustavo Chacin, goofy glasses and all.

Eastlink TV is only available to subscribers of Eastlink Cable or Digital Cable. Eastlink TV is not available on satellite. Channel 10 in Amherst, Bridgewater, Charlottetown, East Hants, HRM, New Glasgow, Summerside and Sydney. Channel 4 in Truro. Channel 5 in Antigonish, New Minas and Yarmouth. Channel 8 in Liverpool, Windsor and Shelburne. Channel 13 in Aylesford. Channel 14 in Oxford, Parrsboro and Port Hawkesbury.