Motown Mojo

Preview of the big game tomorrow with the Canucks at Detroit to face the Red Wings, Artest is a King, Thomas in a little hot water. Let's roll...

Canucks at Hockeytown USA

The Canucks head to the Motor City (home of the Superbowl XL next weekend) to face the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night. Both teams have been struggling lately, the Canucks lost the first 2 of their current 7 game road swing, the Red Wings have lost a couple of games to the Nashville Predators and now share the lead for tops in the Western Conference. At the beginning of the season, many thought the Red Wings would struggle to compete in the new NHL, but the Wings have had a fantastic first half of the season and surprised everyone with their fast start. Couple of reasons for their great start, an awesome PP, and outstanding goaltending from both Manny Legace and Chris Osgood. The Red Wings are 3rd in the league in goals scored and 5th in goals allowed. But the biggest reason has been the hiring of Mike Babcock. Finally, Babcock is able to shine in a town that is worthy of his Hockey knowledge. As for the Canucks, they will be in tough here. But if the Canucks can outhustle the Red Wings, they should be able to squeeze one out. Ed Jovanovski re-injured his groin and is out indefinitely, no status update on Matt Cooke. Alex Auld will get the start here. Canucks win in a shootout, 5-4.
*Photo from Yahoo!Sports

Artest Heads West

Nothing surrounding the story in the life of Ron Artest is ordinary so why would his trade to a new team be any different. The Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings finalized the deal today that sends the much maligned Ron Artest to Sacramento in exchange for Peja Stojakovic. Initially, the deal was shot down by Artest's agent, Mark Stevens who vetoed the trade because his client did not want to play in Sacramento. That veto was later recinded allowing the deal to go through. So who wins in this deal?? Nobody really. The Kings start their Artest experimentation which should produce dividends in the short-term but could end up costing them in the long-run should Artest break out of control again, something we have expected from him. As for the Pacers, Stojakovic is a great offensive shooter, but doesn't nearly have the defensive capability to shut down opposing guards that they'll need in the playoffs. In the end, the deal was a necessary evil for both teams to rid themselves of the distractions and move on.
*Photo from Yahoo!Sports

He Said, She Said

NY Knicks President Isiah Thomas is being sued by former team executive, Anucha Browne Sanders for sexual harrassment. Sanders claims Thomas made several sexual advances and made it impossible for her to continue employment with the organization. When Sanders reported her claims to team officials, they told her to take a leave of absence then proceeded to terminate her employment for not fulfilling her Professional duties of her employment contract. Sanders is demanding $6 Million in lost future wages. Now, Sanders doesn't exactly fit the profile of a gold-digging groupie looking to cash in here. Sanders had worked for the Knicks organization since 2000, 3 years before Thomas arrived in NY. This is going to be very bad for Thomas, he's got a lot of supporters right now, but a lot of questions about his behavior will be raised.
*Photo from MSNBC

What's on TV
NHL, Vancouver vs Detroit, 4:30pm PST on Sportsnet Pacific
NHL, Edmonton vs LA Kings, 7:30pm PST on Sportsnet West

Picks of the Day
Dallas Mavericks -6 over Seattle Supersonics
Carolina Hurricanes +105 over Atlanta Thrashers
Record YTD (27-32, -1058)