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This Week In Sports: Leafs playoffs hopes cut short by historic rivals

Published

3 years ago

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BY MARCEL MARIAK

Despite their best efforts, the Maple Leafs got their playoff season cut short by their historic rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. With the rivals facing off in the playoffs for the first time since 1979, Toronto fans were looking forward to an entertaining showdown (and hopefully an eventual win to the series.)

Unfortunately, a series of injuries and unlucky situations resulted in the Leafs’ playoff run being cut short by the Habs.

In case you missed the games, here’s a recap of all seven.

Game 1
Game 1 was action-packed as the puck and momentum of the game changed hands frequently. With Montreal taking the lead in the first period, the Leafs were under pressure to make a comeback. They managed to regain control of their offence and tied the game late in the final minutes of the second period. With the game tied, both teams increased their pressure as they struggled for control of the puck and searched for the game-winning goal. Unfortunately for the Leafs, Montreal clinched Game 1 after Paul Bryon scored a spectacular shorthanded goal while sliding on his knees after getting tripped by a Toronto defender. Final score, 2-1 for the Habs.

To make matters worse, Maple Leafs’ captain, John Tavares collided with Montreal’s Corey Perry after getting body-checked and ended up leaving the ice on a stretcher.

Game 2
With the pressure mounting on Toronto to prevent Montreal from increasing their series lead, the Leafs went into Game 2 ready to perform. Despite their captain suffering a concussion and being unable to return to the ice indefinitely, the Leafs were still confident in their ability to stop Montreal.

From the first faceoff, the Leafs took the initiative. Mounting several scoring attempts within the starting minutes of the game, Toronto instantly put Montreal on its heels. Although Montreal managed to open the scoring midway through the first period, the Leafs quickly regained the offensive and would hold the pressure for the remainder of the game. Using their aggressive approach, the Leafs made quick work of their rivals, winning the game 5-1!

Game 3
With the series tied 1-1, the Leafs entered Game 3 looking to ride the momentum of their previously dominant performance and establish a lead in the series. Despite Toronto’s motivation, the Canadiens started the game with several promising attacks on the Leafs’ defensive line. As the first period wore on, the Leafs seemed to get into the groove of the game and the puck began switching hands more often. At this point, it was anyone’s game.

This time, the Leafs managed to open the scoring as William Nylander scored with twelve minutes left in the second period. Unfortunately, it only took the Habs six minutes to score a goal of their own and tie up the game. This time though, the Leafs refused to give up their lead for long as they mounted yet another attack to regain the lead in the final minutes of the second period.

Although the third period had a handful of interesting actions, it was fruitless for both teams. The Leafs won the game 2-1 and established their first lead of the series.

Game 4
Moving into the fourth game of the series, the Leafs were in no mood to ease the pressure. They were in the lead, had the advantage, and were looking to exploit every opportunity that came their way.

Although the first period was mostly uneventful in terms of scoring, the Leafs made an impact in the second period, scoring three goals to get a significant lead. Despite their comfortable position, the Leafs refused to ease the pressure going into the third period. Scoring yet another point, they silenced their rivals and ended the game with an impressive 4-0 score.

Game 5
As the old adage goes, all good things must come to an end. With the Leafs now leading the series 3-1, they only needed one more win to eliminate their rivals and move onto the next round of playoffs. Unfortunately, Montreal had other plans.

It was in Game 5 that the momentum switched hands and would remain that way for the remainder of the series. Although both teams made a valiant effort during regulation time by scoring three points each, Montreal scored the overtime golden goal to take Game 5 with a score of 4-3.

The Leafs didn’t know it yet, but this result spelled the beginning of the end for their playoff run. Things only went downhill from here.

Game 6
Game 6 was a special night for the Canadiens. For the first time in over a year, a limited number of fans were allowed to attend the game as lockdown restrictions eased up in Montreal. With their hometown “crowd” (if you can call it that) in the Bell Centre, the Habs were more motivated than ever to put on a show.

Despite this, the game got off to a slow start, with neither team able to capitalize for the first two periods of play.

Then, in the third period, the goals started rolling in. With both teams scoring two points in the final period, the game went into overtime. Once again, the Canadiens proved themselves better at handling the pressures of OT and scored a point to end the game 3-2. The series was now tied 3-3 and would be settled in a decisive Game 7.

Game 7
Game 7 also came with an interesting twist. Similarly to Game 6, 550 fully vaccinated healthcare workers were able to watch the game live at the Scotiabank Arena in Downtown Toronto. Unfortunately, the half-thousand fans were unable to help the Leafs secure a victory.

In a similar fashion to their previous game, the first period was scoreless as both teams failed to finish their attacks.

Moving into the second period, Montreal set the tone for the game by scoring two points and putting pressure on Toronto as the game moved into the final period of play.

In the third period, the Leafs became desperate and began attacking in rapid succession. Unfortunately, their efforts were fruitless as Habs goalie, Carey Price, stopped attempt after attempt to keep Montreal ahead.

With three minutes left in the game, Toronto pulled its goalie, which created an opportunity for Montreal to extend its lead with yet another goal. At this point, the writing was on the wall. Although the Leafs managed to score a point as the clock ran down, it was too little too late. The Leafs were defeated 3-1.

With that, the Leafs were sent on an unfortunate early vacation and have no choice but to hope for better luck next year. Montreal, on the other hand, has moved onto round two of the series and faces the Winnipeg Jets.

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The road to the Super Bowl has begun, and it is going to be an unforgettable ride

Published

2 weeks ago

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September 26, 2024

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BY KRISHNA MISTRY

The NFL season has started, and you know what that means: thrilling games, intense rivalries, fantasy football drama, and endless debates about which team has what it takes to make a run for the Super Bowl! After a long offseason of trades, draft picks, and preparation, the teams are ready to battle it out at the playoffs, and ultimately at the Super Bowl.

For those unfamiliar, the NFL stands for the National Football League, the premier professional American football league. It consists of 32 teams, all of which kicked off their season on September 5th, 2024, with the season running until February 9th, 2025. With so many teams vying for the ultimate prize, let’s break down what to expect during this action-packed season.

The offseason was full of dramatic roster changes, with many teams making trades, or free agent signing to improve their chances in the upcoming season. The biggest highlight was Aaron Rodgers leaving the Green Bay Packers and joining the New York Jets. Several other star players switched teams, and these moves will definitely shape the course of this season.

Keep an eye on players adjusting to their new teams, such as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the Tennessee Titans and running back Dalvin Cook now teaming up with the New York Jets.

As much as fans love high-scoring games, the defense still wins championships, and many teams have built strong units to stop the most lethal offences. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills all possess top-tier defenses that could be a factor in their playoff season. Keep an eye out for game-changing plays from defensive units. Sacks, turnovers, and defensive touchdowns could determine which teams rise to the top this year.

Several players will be making their return to the field after their shortened 2023 season due to injuries. Players like Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, ready to lead his team into the playoffs. Additionally, with the return of Breece Hall to the Jets and Javonte Williams to the Broncos Bolsters, both young backs are coming off significant injuries, and their recovery could be a game-changer for their respective teams.

As always, the competition for the playoffs is fierce. The AFC (American Football Conference) is stacked with powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills, all led by elite quarterbacks.

In the NFC (National Football Conference), the Philadelphia Eagles enter as favorites to win the conference again, but teams like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions are all eager to challenge their reign. As the season progresses, every win counts and teams will fight for those crucial spots, knowing that a trip to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII is the ultimate goal.

No NFL season is complete without fantasy football enthusiasts tracking every yard, touchdown, and reception. With so much unpredictability in trades, injuries, and emerging stars, this season promises plenty of fantasy surprises.

Fans will be glued to their screens, tracking every stat, waiver wire pickup, and injury report to gain an edge in their leagues, making every Sunday all the more intense.

With blockbuster trades, the rise of young stars, and fierce competition across divisions, every game will matter as teams chase the ultimate prize—Super Bowl glory. So get your jerseys ready, your fantasy lineups set, and clear your schedule for those must-watch games.

The NFL season is back, and it’s sure to be filled with incredible moments, jaw-dropping plays, and unexpected surprises. Whether you’re cheering from the stands, or from your couch, this season will deliver the passion and excitement we’ve all been waiting for. So get ready for the highs, the lows, and everything in between. The road to the Super Bowl has begun, and it’s going to be an unforgettable ride.

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No Frills® and Maxi MD Join the Cricket Canada Family as the Official Grocery Partner

Published

2 weeks ago

on

September 25, 2024

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September 10, 2024, Brampton, ON – No Frills® and Maxi MD , Canada’s popular hard discount grocery retailers, are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Cricket Canada as its
Official Grocery Partner.

“As Canada’s fastest-growing sport, cricket has captured the hearts of many and brings communities together through the power of teamwork, passion and a shared love for the game,”
said Melanie Singh, President of Hard Discount, Loblaw Companies. “We look forward to working closely with Cricket Canada to bring customers and fans closer to the sport they love
and ensuring our contributions make a meaningful and lasting impact.”

This partnership establishes No Frills® as a key sponsor for select international matches organized by Cricket Canada on Canadian soil. The inaugural event under this new partnership
will be the No Frills® T20 Cup, an international tri-nation T20 cricket series featuring Canada, Nepal, and Oman. Set to take place later this month at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King
City, Ontario; this series promises to deliver thrilling cricket action to fans across Canada and further elevate the sport's profile in North America.

Through this partnership, No Frills® and Maxi MD will support and invest in the growth of cricket in Canada. This includes a range of experiential activations in-store and at Cricket Canada events, as well as National Team matches.

Amjad Bajwa, President of Cricket Canada, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:  “Cricket Canada is thrilled to partner with iconic Canadian grocery brands that are so
entrenched in the daily life of so many Canadians. No Frills® and Maxi MD share our commitment to community and accessibility. This exciting new partnership represents a significant step in our mission to not only enhance our National Teams and programs but also to grow the sport and help make cricket more accessible to Canadians from all walks of life.”

For more information on the No Frills® T20 Cup, including match schedules, visit Cricket Canada  official digital channels or buy tickets directly here.https://www.eventcreate.com/e/cricketcanadatickets

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The return of a legend: Serena Williams

Published

4 weeks ago

on

September 12, 2024

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BY KRISHNA MISTRY

Serena Williams, a world-renowned tennis player, has dropped hints of her return. In August 2022, Williams posted a statement that she would be retiring after winning twenty-three Grand Slam singles titles and leading the WTA rankings for three hundred and nineteen weeks (one hundred and eight six consecutively) to become regarded as the finest female tennis player of all time.

Many fans expressed their surprise and excitement when they found out about  Williams’ decision to return to professional tennis. During her retirement, Williams focused on her family, business ventures, and advocacy work. Despite her success off the court, the competitive fire that had driven her never truly dimmed.

In 2024, Williams announced that she would be returning to tennis, expressing her love for the game and her desire to compete at the highest level once again.

During an interview with ESPN Williams shared her reasons to come back, “I realized that I wasn’t done yet. Tennis has been such a huge part of my life, and I felt like there was still more I wanted to achieve. I wanted to challenge myself again, to see if I could still compete with the best.”

Tennis is a sport that requires extreme physical activity and the schedule is demanding. Since Williams is aged, her body is not able to train the same way she did when she was twenty.

This required Williams to take her training from a different approach. Though there are many challenges, Williams has always been known for her adaptability and resilience, and her return has been no different.

Williams is currently working closely with her longtime coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, where she is focusing on refining her game to suit her current physical capabilities. “Serena is smarter, more strategic now,” Mouratoglou explained. “She knows she can’t rely solely on power anymore, so we’ve worked on her positioning, her shot selection, and managing her energy throughout matches.”

Williams’ return to tennis has had a profound impact on the sport. Her comeback has reignited interest in women’s tennis, drawing attention from fans and media worldwide. Younger players, many of whom grew up idolizing Williams, have expressed their admiration for her decision to return.

“Serena has always been a role model for me,” said Coco Gauff, one of the rising stars on the WTA tour. “Seeing her come back at this stage in her career is so inspiring. It shows that age is just a number and that you can keep pushing yourself to achieve more.”

Beyond her influence on the court, Williams’ return has also highlighted her role as a global icon and advocate for social justice. Throughout her career, Williams has used her platform to speak out on issues ranging from gender equality to racial justice. Her return has given her an even larger stage to continue this important work.

As the 2024 tennis season progresses, Williams’ journey continues to captivate audiences. With the French Open and Wimbledon on the horizon, the tennis world is eager to see how she will fare in the upcoming Grand Slam tournaments. Williams has made it clear that she is not just participating; she is competing with the goal of winning.

“I’ve always been driven by the desire to be the best,” Williams said. “That hasn’t changed. I still believe I can win, and that’s what I’m working toward every day.”

Regardless of the outcome, Williams’ return to tennis is already a remarkable chapter in her storied career. It is a testament to her love for the game, her unyielding determination, and her belief in defying the odds.

As Williams continues her comeback, she serves as a powerful reminder that greatness is not just about winning titles—it’s about passion, perseverance, and the courage to chase your dreams, no matter where life takes you.

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