CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The NHL trade deadline is Monday and as The Prophet looks down the Stanley Cup playoff trail, I do not see a dominant team, not even Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference.
The Lightning have had a great regular season and, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, I am not so sure they have enough grit for a long playoff run. That question turns the sports spotlight onto two players that are unrestricted free agents at season’s end, rugged New York Rangers defenceman Adam McQuaid and Philadelphia’s truculent Wayne Simmonds.
The Flyers are chasing down a playoff spot and could still sign Simmonds but, at this late date, they’ve probably decided to move him. The Boston Bruins traded for right winger Charlie Coyle but he’s not as rugged nor a 30-goal scorer like Simmonds, so Boston appears set now. If I were in Toronto’s shoes, I’d go after Simmonds and/or McQuaid, either of whom could help the Maple Leafs get past Boston in what appears to be an opening round playoff pairing.
Gerard Gallant’s Las Vegas Golden Knights have won just three of their last 10 and they’re sitting on a fistful of high draft picks, so I expect Gallant to add to his slumping Knights roster. The Knights have 10 picks in the first two rounds over the next two draft years and $15 million in cap space, so expect GM George MacPhee to make a change or two to a Vegas club that is 10-18-1 against playoff bound clubs.
Panther watch
Forbie MacPherson’s UPEI hockey Panthers dropped the opening game of their best-of-five AUS semifinal series with the UNB Varsity Reds 3-1 Thursday night in Fredericton and played again last night with the scene shifting to UPEI on Monday.
UNB fired 52 shots at goaltender Matt Mancina, who was sharp throughout but Kameron Kielly’s goal made it 2-1 heading into the third period. If Mancina (or Simon Hofley) can provide that type of quality goaltending, this series can be a tough one. I believe the Panthers will win here Monday night; see you at the game.
Two of the hottest basketball teams in Atlantic Canada are on the road this weekend as the UPEI women’s Panthers meet Cape Breton in a game for first overall in the Atlantic Conference.
Hurricanes watch
The Holland College men’s Hurricanes travel to Halifax to take on the MSVU Mystics, attempting to finish the season with a perfect 21-0 record.
Head coach Josh Whitty and his assistants Dale McIsaac, Ryan Laughlin and Trent Whitty have been to the college nationals for six straight years, earning a silver and five bronze medals, and some believe this could be the year for gold. They have standouts in Roosevelt Whyley with a shooting percentage a tick below 70 per cent and 22 points per game, sharp-shooting guard Jace Colley, Agak Lual who leads the conference in blocks and Jordan Holness, who leads the league in steals and assists.
Curling
Suzanne Birt is the surprise team at the Scotties in Sydney with a 6-3 record, having defeated first place Alberta and Team Canada’s Jennifer Jones as she headed into play Friday evening.
John Likely’s Charlottetown foursome is heading to the Brier in Brandon, Man., with play getting underway March 2. Likely’s team includes Robb Docherty, Steve Burgess and Anson Carmody but they’re definitely longshots. Likely had a unique training schedule. He spent most of December in Florida, came back for a few games in the beans and beer league at the Charlottetown club, and then won four games to earn a trip to the Brier.
By comparison, the Ontario winner, Scott MacDonald, had 80 competitive games prior to the provincials. Likely could run out of gas by mid-week. How will they do at The Brier? Not as well as Birt at the Scotties. You can bet your house on it.
On the track
There’s no live harness racing at any Maritime track but plenty of simulcast racing from up-country tracks.
Sock It Away was sixth in 1:55 and change at Yonkers on Monday night in the tough $26,000, a big step up in class.
Former P.E.I. top class pacer Keep Coming was second in 1:53.1 at Mohawk earlier this week. On the same card, Dan MacIsaac’s trotter, Catch the Dream, scored in 1:57.2 in a $14,000 trot, also at Mohawk.
Maritime-bred L Weather B was second in 1:56.3 at The Hawk and, in the same race, Howmac Diamond was sixth.
At Flamboro, Elm Grove Kaboom posted a sharp 1:56.3 victory for trainer Terry Gallant, driver Brett MacDonald and owners Larry and Kathy Chappell of Marshfield.
At The Big M, Pappy Go Go was on the rim most of the way and finished seventh in 1:53.1 in a $15,000 trot.
The city track lost another long-time fan with the passing of Bennie Larter, well known at the track and in the automobile industry. Our condolences to this fine gentleman.
Fred MacDonald’s column runs every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at [email protected].
