Each week, the Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports.
This time around, they discuss the win streak of the McGill Martlets, the troubled Toronto Raptors, Nomar Garciaparra's one-day deal with the Red Sox, and Isles' owner Charles Wang's suggested format for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Damien Cox, Toronto Star: My thumb is up this week to the McGill University Martlets - that's the name of the female sports teams at McGill. The men are, of course, called the Redmen. On Sunday, the Martlets play the University of Alberta Pandas in the CIS women's hockey final. But here's what amazing about the Martlets: they have won, including Saturday's victory over St. Mary's, 86 straight hockey games. Let me say that again. 86 straight they've won - not ties, not overtime, not shootouts, 86 straight wins. That deserves at least a thumb.
Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is down to the troubled Toronto Raptors. More than 60 games into this NBA season and still they're tripping all over themselves. The Raptors are one frustrating team to watch, playing defence only when it interests them, lacking passion on too many nights, seemingly dysfunctional on the court. This is another Toronto team that has no hope of competing at the highest level, no hope of contending. And just when they seemed to be on the right path, they go out and lose eight of nine. Right now the Raptors are in danger of losing a playoff spot, losing their season and losing their best player, Chris Bosh. It's certainly not the trifecta anyone was betting on.
Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is down to the sham perpetrated this week by Nomar Garciaparra and the Boston Red Sox. Garciaparra signed a one-day contract and then retired as a Red Sock because, gee, he loved the city so much. Well guess what? In '04, he hated the city, hated playing for the Red Sox and hated the media there. The Red Sox? They didn't care for him any more than he cared for them. And before Boston could win that historic World Series, they had to trade Garciaparra, who will now work in the media for ESPN. Gee, we welcome you, Nomar, with open arms, just like you used to welcome us.
Dave Hodge, TSN: My thumb is down to Charles Wang, the owner of the New York Islanders, who submitted a proposal to the NHL general managers that would have altered the Stanley Cup format. I say "altered". Wang wanted consideration for an idea that would have given every last NHL team - yep, including 30th and last - a shot at the Stanley Cup. Missing the playoffs would be impossible, even for the Islanders. So why is my thumb down? Sometimes an explanation is unnecessary. This is one of those times.
