The "Showboat"

Sometimes I think we create controversy when there is nothing else to do.

This week is no different. Earlier in the week, the San Jose Sharks were playing the New York Rangers in a regular season NHL Game,

It was a blowout. Nineteen year old Tomas Hertl, playing in only his third game "ever" in the NHL was having a good game. He had already scored a hat trick, something most players will never do in their entire career.

                                                             Tomas Hertl - San Jose


With the score 7 to 2, Hertl was fed a pass and broke in on net, and he put an amazing move on the goalie and buried it for his 4th goal of the game.

Here is the goal.

Here is my question.

Pick one.

1. Was this a beautiful goal?
2. Was this "showboating"  or  "hot dogging" or whatever you want to call it,
3. Both of the above.

Washington Capital's Coach Adam Oates did not like the goal.
Adam said "“I’m upset. I was just talking to George [McPhee] and he said all the kids do that nowadays, which I understand. But would he have done it on his first goal?” Oates said. “He hasn’t scored yet tonight and he gets a breakaway, is he going to do that on his breakaway? We’ll see.
“Great move, don’t get me wrong — it’s a shootout move or something, and it’s great,” Oates said. “I’m glad the way San Jose treated it. As long as he doesn’t disrespect the league. The league’s hard.”

Adam Oates

Disrespect the League?? - Give me a break Adam. No offence, but please, you have got to be kidding. A nineteen year old kid scores his 4th goal of the game in only his 3rd game ever....a spectacular move....and this is disrespecting the league. That is laughable Oatesy.

You know me...I always like a lacrosse tie in. Adam Oates was an amazing hockey player. He might have been a better lacrosse player. He played Junior A Lacrosse for the Etobicoke Eclipse and in one "record setting" game Adam Oates scored 10 goals and 19 assists in one game. I am not making that up. A 29 point effort in one game. They won the game BIG.....real BIG. Could Adam have backed off a little bit? Was he "showboating"...was he "disrespecting" the league?

I say no. I remember his performance....and I remember thinking....Good On you Oatesy. Good on you. That is an amazing night, something to be proud of.

If you have read some of my blogs before you probably know....I love the best players in the world doing amazing things. It is what makes sports special to me.

Other examples?

• Peyton Manny throw 7 touchdown passes this year in one game
• Kobe puts up 82 points against the Raptors a couple of years ago
• Usain Bolt annihilates his competition in the 100 m race
• Tomas Hertl scores 4 goals in third game of the season, the 4th being a between the leg beauty. 

I say...way to go guys. I love it. Keep it up.