For the final time...Goodnight from St. Catharines

Readers;

On April 20 I handed in my final assignment for Sport Management and completed my course work at Brock University. After two days of careful thought here is my farewell to the city of St. Catharines:

For the past three years I have been attending Brock University for the Sport Management program, and as I take a break from cleaning out my room for the final time, I want to share some thoughts.

First off when I go home to fine fine town of Ancaster, ON, I often tell people that I have met some of the finest and smartest people in the world at Brock, and that speaks directly to the class of 2012-Sport Management. I want to thank the professors for their inspiring classes and their time. Especially Dr. Hyatt, Dr. Bradish, Dr. Chard, Dr. Spence, Dr. Mallen, Dr. McLean, Dr. Findlay, Dr. Stevens, Dr. Cousens, Dr. Kikulis and Scott McRoberts, this collection of professors are the ones I have had in my classes for the past three years and have been wonderful. I love their drop in whenever policy and chances are they will be able to help you (Dr. Hyatt especially who goes out of his way to help all Sport Management students). Also Charlene McLellan who is the best administrative assistant in the school and Stephanie Brooks who is the BEST academic adviser in the school and arguably the country.

Next the students who are currently finishing 3rd year, I am pleased to call you all friends and one day co-workers, as you as the collective are some the finest and smartest people I know. As well to the current graduating class, for welcoming me more than halfway into your education and making me feel a part of your year. It is something very difficult to do.

Also the staff at Recreation Services (Intramurals), who I call co-workers and friends, hopefully someone will replace Sean Mathe and myself as the Statler and Waldorf of the office next year, but you are all wonderful and have inspired many debates about college basketball. And to the boss Adam Byslma who allowed me to spread my wings while writing the soccer baseball rules (I hope that they work next year buddy).

The athletic department's sports information and marketing guru Shawn Whitely who does more for Athletics than anyone else and desperately needs about 3 more people to help him do his job. Without Shawn I would not have been the play by play voice of the Men's Hockey and Basketball team. Thank you sir.

Murray Nystrom, Men's Hockey Coach, thank you for your time and effort with the broadcasts and interviews. And of course the same of the OUA West coaches, but especially, the broadcasts favourite opposing coach Shawn Camp of Guelph.

Matt Prefontaine, Derek Sigsworth, Steven Lapointe, Chris Muldoon and Larry Miller are the wonderful people who spent their time with myself working on broadcasts for Hockey and Basketball, thank you for your efforts and input they were greatly appreciated.

Jared Wall- the person who has easily done the most for Brock Baseball and helped me this year with my work for the Baseball team.

Coach Jeff Lounsbury thank you for your efforts with the baseball team, he might be the finest recruiter in the OUA.

The past three years I have changed for the better, and it is not without some sadness that I say for the final time, Goodnight from St. Catharines.

NHL Playoff Predictions

Ok, predictions for the NHL Playoffs and the 1st round specifically, however I will try my best at going through the entire bracket as well.

Eastern Conference: 1st Round
(1) Washington vs. (8) New York Rangers
"The rangers had a homecoming in Harlem late last night" sings Bruce Springsteen to open his iconic song Jungleland, and it will be Jungleland for the Caps, they fall in 7 games, and the top seed falls in the opening round for the 2nd straight year. Too much Offense, not enough defense.
(8) New York Rangers 4-3

(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres make another run through the playoffs, and I will take them to win this series because Philly has stumbled in, are 14-11-7 since February 1, and their opponent the Sabres have been soaring into the playoffs. Take Buffalo.
(7) Buffalo Sabres 4-2

(3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Montreal Canadiens
Division Rivals, Chara, hatred, Pacioretty, this is playoff hockey, going to be brutal, low scoring affairs with lots of checks. But Montreal survives and advances
(6) Montreal Canadiens 4-2

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning
Pittsburgh without Crosby and Malkin are in trouble, TB has been electric recently, holding off Montreal for the 5 seed by 8 points, and they were 1 point away from each other in late March. Tampa rolls
(5) Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1

Western Conference- 1st Round
(1) Vancouver vs. (8) Chicago
The Canucks have had their season ended by the Blackhawks the last two years, but they are the President's trophy winners this year and Luongo has been magnificent in the 60 games played. He will be rested and ready to go. Defending Champs go down.
(1) Vancouver Canucks 4-2

(2) San Jose vs. (7) Los Angeles
Don't know much about either of these left coast teams, but season series was Sharks 3-1-2 and Kings 3-3, so take the Sharks because they have the better winning percentage.
(2) San Jose Sharks 4-3

(3) Detroit vs. (6) Phoenix
Detroit wins easily, HockeyTown is a tough place to play and Phoenix moves to Winnipeg or Quebec City next year due to lack of fan support. Seriously, their home games are like neutral site games.
(3) Detroit Red Wings 4-0

(4) Anaheim vs. (5) Nashville
The Predators are looking for their first win in postseason history, they get it and then some. Once they get the first win the momentum will carry them, but they lose the first 2 first.
(5) Nashville Predators 4-2

Eastern Conference Semi Finals
(5) Tampa Bay vs. (8) New York Rangers
Bruce can't save them this time, Tampa is more defensively minded, but this is a close series, as NY wins at Madison Soup Garden.
(5) Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3

(6) Montreal vs. (7) Buffalo
This will be a great series, two very similar teams going at it, should be a fantastic series for those that like offensive hockey. Price vs. Miller would be a great goalie match up, but Montreal squeaks it out at home because Buffalo will be in tough on the road after a 4 day wait between series.
(6) Montreal Canadiens 4-2

Western Conference Semi Finals
(1) Vancouver vs. (5) Nashville
Vancouver rolls, the former Molson Hockey House is rocking and the Canucks play defense extremely well, take the Canucks because of the goaltending and the defense.
(1) Vancouver Canucks 4-2

(2) San Jose vs. (3) Detroit
Detroit wins the first on the road, then wins in 6 as they roll at home.
(3) Detroit Red Wings 4-2

Conference Finals
(5) Tampa Bay vs. (6) Montreal
Montreal with the help of a great home crowd and solid defense, the Canadiens win with solid goal tending and a decent powerplay.
Montreal Canadiens 4-1

(1) Vancouver vs. (3) Detroit
The pedigree of Detroit is so much higher than Vancouver, Hockeytown will be rocking, but VanCity has the better team. Take Vancouver.
Vancouver Canucks 4-3

Stanley Cup
Montreal vs. Vancouver
All Canadian final, going to be unreal, in fact the whole country might just shutdown for this two week party. In the end, Montreal hoists the cup.
Montreal 4-3