‘““Choking’’

I hate it when ‘ ‘half-baked followers’’ of the Blue Jays accuse the team of ‘‘choking’’.As early as Game One of the Blue Jays/Twins series, Doug Saunders,sportscaster of CBC’s ‘‘The Maritimes Tonight’’,made a sickening choking gesture when he talked about the Jays. The Blue Jays did not choke.The Blue Jays did not play up to their potential,and the Twins had a lot of luck on their side.

People keep saying that certain teams are

chokers. Until the team wins everything,the players are labelled as chokers when they 2re involved in impor- tant games.I am arguing that choking should be re- placed with bad luck,as the hinderance to winning. The following will be the proof. (1) For most of this century,the Boston Bruins have lost to the Canadiens in the playoffs;however,all hockey fans know that recently,the Bruins have caused the Habs a lot of heartache. (2)Fora long time,the New York Islanders were told by critics, ‘‘ You guys can’t win in the playoffs.’’ 1980 came along along,and the Islanders went on to win four consecutive Stanley Cups. (3)Last spring,Pittsburgh Penguins goalie,Tom Borasso led his team tu its first Stanley Cup. Before the Penguins, Borasso goaltended for the Buffalo Sabres,and everyone said that Borasso could not win when the game was on the line.

The point is,eventually,good luck comes to everyone’s side.I am sure that soon,the Blue Jays will have it on their side,too. But,until then,people, like Doug Saunders, will probably continue to preach about ‘*doom and gloom’’.

Chris McCarron

L WAS GOING To SAY SOMETWING be LITTY AND PROFOUND:

BUT THEN... e

* STUDENT APATHY

‘““Offsider”’

The best thing about starting school in Septembe1 knowing that the hockey season starts shortly. Thi) season,the National Hockey League’s seventy- -fift) anniversary started with a few big surprises:

--The Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins’ | coach Bob Johnson underwent surgery to remove

brain tumors. Scotty Bowman is replacing him a} helm.

--The St. Louis Blues signed another high profil agent, Brendan Shanahan, and lost last summer’s) signee, Scott Stevens, to the Devils as cae |

--The Habs traded away Stephane Richer aid Tor| Chorske to New Jersey for Kirk Muller and Roll} Melanson. (So for it seems the Devils got the ech on that deal.)

| | --Eric Lindros was drafted first overall bythe |

Nordiques but refused to don the jersey or sign¢ contract.

--Canada won the Canada Cup (again?).

The League’s birthday party seems like any othe! party. Nobody knows who will show up, act odij fool everybody else. As of October 19, the Was! ton Capitals had the best record, and the Vancoug Canucks were not far behind. This makes no set except to Capitals’ or Canucks’ fans. The San.§ Sharks have already won a game--they defeated | Calgary 4-3 on the eighth of October. Mario’s k} bothering him again. Walter Gretzky is sick. MI Messier is a Ranger; Rod Brind’amour isa flyey Nothing is as it should be.

If anybody out there likes trivia, [havea coup!) tidbits. The New York Rangers’ Tie Domi is thé NH Ler to have been checked by a grasshopper. rangers were playing the Kings at Caesar’s Pale! Domi tripped over a grasshopper. San Jose’s fil goal ever was scored by ex-Canuck Craig Coxe

Coxe is one of the few Californian-born player ! league. .

I know that there are some card collectors out t} so I will mention a bit about cards. Score and are both on the market and the combined rookir

UPEI X-P RESS

October 24, 1991 Pag)