The second round of the playoffs is almost over and the “Oilers” are still in the run

However if they lose tonight to “Seattle” our last Canadian team is also done

“Leafs” were unable to eliminate the “Panthers” only managing to get one win

Now there are major rumours mounting of a major cleanup to begin

There are so many articles that are aimed at their four man core

“John Tavares” managed to get one assist while “Auston Matthews” didn’t score

This team scored only two goals in each  of their last seven games of the playoff season

News of a major blowup is circulating because of these very reasons

“Nylander” led this four player core with two goals and “Marner” managed one

Three goals in total from these major stars, no wonder they never won

Over forty million dollars is the payout for this talented quartet

Add five assists to their three goals and eight points is all that they would get

This is all that they could muster in a series that was over after five

No wonder that these “Toronto Maple Leafs” were unable to survive

They however passed a major hurdle by eliminating “Tampa Bay”

One fan screamed so loud that he lost his voice that day

It had been nineteen years since this team achieved this much success

Now that they are eliminated there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed

This team once again has fallen short and were unable to produce

With all the talent on this roster, there really is no excuse

There are already rumblings of “Shanahan” and “Dubas” being fired from the top

“Sheldon Keefe” losing his coaching job, the rumours just won’t stop

“Matthews” and “Nylander’s” existence in now coming into play

Both have one year left on their contracts, are they here to stay?

Some fine tuning in the off season will ensure that they will be back to contend

The dreams of a “Stanley Cup” have not come to an end

They have to get their ducks in a row a learn from their mistakes

Time to go full throttle, it’s no time to apply the brakes

The window is closing but they are still in this fight

With some tinkering, next year could turn out alright

Next season may be the last chance to get out of a fifty seven year rut

If “Matthews” and “Nylander” don’t extend their contracts, this window could be nailed shut

It has been quite a spell since I had a poem to write

The fact is that I have been watching the NHL playoffs each and every night

Last evening the “Oilers” and the “Leafs” advanced to the next round

If one of them wins twelve more games they will be crowned

It has taken “Toronto” nineteen years to accomplish what they just done

So nice to see two “Canadian” teams still in this playoff run

Three series are still undecided and all have that seventh game to play

There may be a couple of major upsets happening along the way

Last year’s champion, “Colorado” and “Boston” which was the best team this year

If “Seattle” and “Florida” defeat them tonight, these two teams just disappear

A lot of overtime in this first round and most games have been great

It is bound to get even more exciting when these teams are reduced to eight

It is just amazing watching what these athletes are able to do

Even more exciting that the stands are packed to watch them too

During the “Covid” crisis, the game just didn’t have that appeal

Now with their fans in attendance, they play with more zeal

I can relax and watch each game because I have no horse in this race

This season was tough for me because I wanted my “Hawks” to finish in last place

Things didn’t of course work out quite my way

The draft lottery is scheduled on the eighth of May

My team finished one point out of last place and thirtieth overall

The fate of my teams future is dependent on a plastic ball

To think that they beat “Boston” in one of their last games of the season

We lost our bottom position for that very reason

It would be nice to see them get that first selection

This certainly could help them with their resurrection

They will get a pick in the top three

Will they get the first selection? We will have to wait and see

I am hours from the next match and must be on my way

I am intending on watching ever playoff game they play

As far as my poetry goes, is there another one coming soon?

If I continue with this hockey addiction, perhaps the middle of June?

We are constantly being bombarded by “American News”

Everyone out there all sharing their points of view

The country that claims that they are the most  powerful on earth

Yet continues to show how little a human life is worth

Gun violence has surpassed car accidents for people aged one to nineteen

Mass shootings for this nation has become a common scene

The “Second Amendment” is what some have sworn to protect

The murders of so many young children, they continue to neglect

Downplaying these shootings is the “Republican’s” role

They have no interest in implementing any gun control

Republican led States are making it easier to carry a gun

Arming the school teacher is what they think should be done

So every day before they prepare to teach their class a lesson

They will have to make sure they are packing a “Smith and Wesson”

Some automatic rifles in the school yard when they go out and play

I guess this could be the future if some Americans have their way

“Donald Trump” has another first that he can enter on his resume

He is the first ex-President to face criminal charges after much delay

Over thirty counts of business fraud dating back to two thousand and sixteen

He is scheduled to report this Tuesday, which should be quite the scene

It was announced on Thursday by the “New York Grand Jury”

Reports are that “Donny” became enraged with fury

“Lindsey Graham” went on “Fox News” to raise money for Trump’s trip to court

Over four million raised within twenty four hours shows he still has lots of support

This is just the first trial that this man will have to face

He continues to drain the pockets of his “MAGA” base

This is just the start of what could be quite an uphill climb

With all his pending allegations, they will be fleeced for every dime

He may be able to raise enough cash to get him through every trial

His supporters are in a continuous state of denial

This is just the first of what could be many

This man will take these “Stooges” for every penny

They will continue to give to his cause and back him to the end

The “Republican Party” will also continue to defend

However he has abused so many lawyers during his lifetime journey

He might have all the money, but no one wants to be his attorney

We will all be on the lookout for some signs of spring

The one that I look forward to the most is hearing a robin sing

Having sunny hours that are warm and bright

More hours in the day and less hours through the night

We are now into March and there are hints right there

Snow is melting and the puddles are appearing everywhere

Though the temperatures haven’t come close to their peak

It’s the warm days ahead that we so sorely seek

There are the footprints in the snow from animals that have passed our way

There are more of them appearing each and every day

Squirrels running back and forth, you can see them on their course

I figured with all their maneuvering, that they must be the source

When I put the dog out, he immediately goes on patrol

Trying to corral one of these bushy tailed rodents is his goal

We never worried about it at all when we put him out the door

The squirrels would just chatter at him and aggravate him even more

He has carved out his own worn out route walking through this snow

This is the path he follows whenever he decides to go

Friday night I let him out and went back to watch more tv

Soon we heard his yelp that is usually associated with glee

We were expecting company and figured they were in his sight

It turns out that I would have to watch this episode on another night

I proceeded to the back door to let him in

That is when our evening  would take a tail spin

Looks like there were more than squirrels invading our space

There is another scoundrel that is living on our place

This animal doesn’t hibernate but becomes very lethargic over winter instead

I guess on this particular evening he got up on the wrong side of our shed

I quickly realized that our new resident is a skunk

He encountered our dog and now the whole neighborhood stunk

We brought our canine in and luckily we had the right shampoo

Threw him in the tub and washed him thoroughly was all that we could do

We are forced to suffer more just by the timing of this event

Using every method we know to get rid of this nasty scent

The past two days we have opened every window and turned off all the heat

Put on some extra sweaters and warm slippers for our feet

The temperatures inside plummeted even though we had some nice spring days

How long before we are rid of this smell is hard for us to say

We are using diffusers to assist with this quest

Peppermint is the essential oil the experts suggest

The dog is alright and seems to be okay

He still has the whole yard to romp and play

As for his nocturnal activities we have come to a decision

He is not allowed out at night unless he has some supervision

It has now been over a year since “Russia” invaded “Ukraine”

“Putin”, despite all his setbacks has continued with this campaign

So many soldiers and civilians on both sides being killed

The goal of reclaiming this land may never be fulfilled

What was supposed to be a simple takeover has reached an epic scale

Not sure if “Zelenskyy” and his allies will be able to prevail

The longer this drags out, the tide will eventually go Russia’s way

Interest in this battle is waning more everyday

The allies led by the “Americans” are aiding in this crusade

Yet having this country join “NATO” hasn’t officially been made

This siege has gone back and forth and there is no end in sight

Both sides of this battle claiming they are winning the fight

Countries helping “Ukraine” are assisting with their plan

They are sending them supplies whenever they can

“Putin” is determined to continue this assault to the bitter end

“Zelenskyy” and his countrymen are stubborn and continue to defend

The only way they can win is if sanctions against “Russia” cripple the nation

“Vladimir” who is in charge is not open to any negotiations

Countries helping “Ukraine” can only go so far

The last thing that they want to do is declare war

So if “Putin” feels he can continue, knowing these nations aren’t all in

He can play the waiting game and eventually he should win

“Biden” may get some opposition to continue with this aid

There’s a real calamity between the “Democrats” and the “Republicans” being played

“Republicans” want “Europeans” to fund more in this situation

They are more concerned with their own borders and the “Chinese” nation

They feel that they should focus on “China” and put “America” first

I guess they are more concerned with those floating balloons that they burst

I don’t understand “Russia” continuing to bombard a country they wish to occupy

How many more soldiers and civilians will be injured or die?

People of these nations are once again casualties of this event

Brought on by this “Russian” President

Once again they will all struggle because of his ego being bruised

More innocent people will be killed and abused

I can’t see this conflict finishing any time soon

“Vladimir” will eventually bring “Russia” to its ruin

Did you get to watch the “Super Bowl” that was played last week?

The “Chiefs” were able to end the “Eagles” winning streak

It was all “Philadelphia” for the first two quarters

The second half, “Kansas City” got their game in order

It was quite a comeback for “K.C.”

“Patrick Mahomes” once again was voted “MVP”

They kicked the winning field goal with just eight seconds to go

During the halftime, “Rihanna” put on a spectacular show!

Her performance had the crowd there going wild

Later we got the news that she was expecting her second child

Not sure what was the biggest story of these two?

The football game or the baby news when everything was through?

So the “NFL” season is over and hockey now is front and center

This is a busy time in the “NHL” if you are really a contender

The trading deadline is in place up to March 3rd

These teams will be doing some fine tuning in hopes of winning the big award

This will continue until a team hoists the “Stanley Cup” sometime well into June

The schedule for these games will now feature more weekend games in the afternoon

I don’t really have a horse competing in this race

Unfortunately my “Blackhawks” are currently in last place

The rumours are that they are going to clean house, a real fire sale

The rebuild of this team is now in full scale

“Kane”, “Toews” and “Domi” could be playing for someone else when this deadline is  done

Who knows how many years it will be before the “Hawks” embark on another playoff run?

If this all takes place, this team will definitely go from bad to worse

Now that they have made this commitment, they must have to stay the course

These stars will be traded to get a higher pick

The official date of this deadline is coming up real quick

The last place team has the best chance of getting the first choice

If we end up  being successful we will get “Bedard” and then we shall rejoice

The plan is all in place and hopefully things will work out right

This way the future will certainly look bright

Saturday night we were losing three to one to “Ottawa” going into the third

We tied the game and won in overtime when “Athanasiou” scored

Tonight we face a good “Toronto” team at home and I never thought I’d stoop this low

For the betterment of our once storied franchise I say “GO LEAFS GO”

There always has been crooked politicians since democracy first started

It isn’t a career that should be pursued by the fainthearted

The one to occupy the seat has to be elected by their peers

That’s the way countries have operated for hundreds of years

Those selected are supposed to benefit the people who put them there

After all they are the ones responsible for putting them in that chair

Their duties are to enact the laws and decide how our tax money is being spent

The “Prime Minister” is the leader in Canada, in the States it’s “President

The legislators of these countries are held in high acclaim

In Canada you are called “Honourable” before your name

Perhaps it was something that these members started on their own

The fact that they should be held in such high regard is a little overblown

How did they achieve this title is something I have to question

Did they all vote for this while they were all in session?

When you are elected as a “Mayor”, “Your Worship” is how they are addressed

No wonder some of these politicians think they are so superior to the rest

Perhaps in days of old you could hide what happens behind the scenes

Now what is occurring in today’s world is totally obscene

Members are more concerned for themselves than the ridings that they serve

Yet we still vote them into office so we get what we deserve

It seems that people with lots of money are elected to a post

They have little regard to the ones who need help the most

The rich are getting richer while the rest of us are trying to get by

Half the “Americans” are still believers in the “Big Lie”

Down there it’s a circus and there is no end in sight

It makes me stop to wonder if they will ever get it right

Canadians are accused of becoming “Americanized” by the lifestyle of the United States

If we don’t smarten up we are doomed to a similar fate

I can already see some of our own politicians that are copying their style

A lot of our fellow “Canucks” are getting more than a little hostile

Having more than two political parties seems to benefit us here

Although I don’t appreciate the antics of our Ontario Premier

He seems to be making his own rules but so far we are keeping him in check

With every day that passes he is losing even more respect

He seems to think he has the power to put worker’s unions in their place

The way he has handled the whole situation is a total disgrace

Capping public sector workers raises to one percent is what he wants to do

He is working hard as he can in an effort to get this legislation through

To think we have to call “Doug Ford” honourable is such a shame

I can think of a few more adjectives that can be placed before his name

“Apollo 13” “Houston, we have a problem” is a line that you heard

In every “James Bond” movie “shaken not stirred”

In “Dirty Harry” we heard “Clint Eastwood” say

“Go ahead, make my day”

Then you have another famous one from “Love Story”

“Love means never having to say that you’re sorry”

“Cool Hand Luke” was a movie I always thought was great

“What we have here is a failure to communicate”

“Field of Dreams” is yet another one

“If you build it, he will come”

Sticking with this sport everyone can recall

“A League Of Their Own” “there’s no crying in baseball”

Another great line that almost everyone can quote

Appears in the movie “Jaws” “you’re gonna need a bigger boat”

“Wax on, wax off” from “Karate Kid” you should know

The spinoff “Cobra Kai” is now a hit show

“Back To The Future” had three episodes

“Where we are going, we don’t need roads”

“You can’t handle the truth” continues to last

“A Few Good Men” is from thirty years in the past

Another line I am going to cite and I am in no way sorry

“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid” from “A Christmas Story”

“I’ll have what she’s having” is another

That line from “When Harry Met Sally” said by Rob Reiner’s mother

There are so many examples, I just named a few

Here’s hoping that most of them were ones that you knew

Compared to most of my poems I am cutting this short and I know that I am

To quote “Clark Gable” in “Gone With The Wind”, “frankly, I don’t give a damn”

Christmas is now over and we have packed the tree away

We took care of this task only yesterday

The new year has officially finished its first inaugural week

My “Blackhawks” are hoping to extend their one game winning streak

The games have been hard to watch even though I am still a devoted fan

Looks like this franchise has decided to stick with their total rebuild plan

Last night they recorded just their ninth win of the season

I couldn’t get to sleep last night….could that have been the reason?

I been concentrating on watching sports sprinkled with a television series or two

I have been falling behind on both because of the snow shoveling we had to do

Fortunately we only have had to use the snow blower once this year

We have been able to keep the driveway nice and clear

Friends have highly recommended watching “Yellowstone” so we binge watched season one

We should easily catch up with the rest of them before the final episode is done

Meanwhile I only missed one game that our Canadian junior team had played

Still can’t believe all the moves that “Connor Bedard” has made

For a seventeen year old it is a major test

He passed it with flying colours on this epic quest

He led the tournament in scoring and also won MVP

The overtime goal he scored against “Slovakia” was amazing to see

He now holds the crown for Canadian hockey players in the scoring race

The former record holder “Eric Lindros” drops down to second place

“Bedard” has a five point edge and actually played five games less

This phenomenal athlete never ceases to impress

“Dylan Guenther” scored the overtime goal in Halifax for the championship which really rocked the joint

This showed how much depth this team had as “Connor Bedard” didn’t register a single point

He insisted on talking about the team when he was interviewed after the game

He hasn’t been drafted but is already a household name

This will be “Connor’s” draft year and he is destined to be first pick

When I look back at my “Hawks” record, I now don’t feel so sick

I know they are still floundering and things could possibly get worse

Do I want them to win? Yes I do of course!

There are so many rumours of “Kane” and “Toews” being shopped around

They are the last two “Stanley Cup” winners left in “Chicago” town

From what I am reading every player on this team is available for a trade

You have your choice of anyone of them if the right deal can be made

They are building for the future and draft picks are what they need

Get as many picks as you can in hopes for you to succeed

You no longer get the first pick when you finish last

This certainly was a benefit for team building in the past

The team with the least points still however have more chances to win

If we want to get this future superstar we have to go all in

Will we still end up in last place? We will have to wait and see

The best scenario is we get “Connor Bedard” the worse, we get pick number three

Last week I mentioned how surprised I was by the action at the soccer games

Okay, I should be saying “football” as that’s it’s proper name

There are so many team sports around the world that are played

For the most part, the participants in these leagues are all highly paid

Each of these games are broken up in sections so they can have a break

Some are very exciting while others are hard to stay awake

Most of these sports have a time limit as we are all aware

Some you have attended and wondered why you were there

The ones being clocked are very active and every member has a role

They all work together as a team to achieve their goal

Hockey is the only sport where substitutions are made on the fly

Football and basketball stop the clock when they have to replace a guy

So the action is mostly continuous and is exciting to view

Then we have “America’s Favourite Pastime” “baseball” which is exactly what they do

This sport eats up time and can drag out for hours

Plan to be there all day if there is a chance of showers

They have this sport divided into innings that total nine

The pitcher throws the ball to the catcher after he gives him a sign

Then once they are both ready, the batter then will step out of the box

Brushes sand over his batting gloves and still finds time to adjust his jock

So you are sitting in the stands as all of this is transpiring

This happens inning after inning which becomes a little tiring

Most of the time we are watching these two athletes playing catch

This sport is so boring that in the seventh inning, spectators all require a stretch

One umpire behind the plate to decipher if a pitch is a strike or a ball

Others on the three bases in case they have to make a call

Nine players on the field on the ready in case someone gets a hit

Hoping that they are able to retrieve this ball with their mitt

If the pitcher tosses four bad throws the batter is awarded with a walk

Then proceeds down to the first baseman where they then meet and talk

The pitcher seems to stall even more when there is a man on base

Concentrating more on the runner than the batter he has to face

This means more time is wasted as these head games are being played

As a result with this so called strategy, this game gets more delayed

The catcher will then go to the mound because he has something to say

Then the pitcher will throw to the first baseman at times to aid in a double play

This is to keep the runner from taking too big a lead and keeping him close

Then he pitches to his catcher in between all these extra throws

These are just a couple of examples, they don’t want them to score

If the teams are tied after the nine innings they have to play some more

The game isn’t over until one team has won

This could be over four hours since this game first begun

You notice at these events that the fans all seem to have a beer

This is perhaps the way this league continues year to year

My friends and I have gone to these games and couldn’t make it through

The fans all around us were all holding a brew

The athletes are earning big contracts in their chosen profession

The owners are making millions from these beer concessions

Then they have the money for every type of food they choose to cater

With every minute that is wasted the profit margin is getting greater

The more the game drags out, the more money they will make

I wish they would finally quicken up this sport so I can stay awake