The Maple Leafs Suck.. But You Already Knew That...

Self explanatory.

Before I begin, I'm well aware that this week's column could be one that brings me hate mail. That being said, I felt it's time to actually sit and discuss 'Leafs Nation.' What's that? Forty-five years (and counting) without the Stanley Cup, you say? Well as you can see, I'm not their biggest fan. My hockey loyalties lie elsewhere. While there are six other Canadian NHL teams, wherever I've been, I seem to encounter a score of Leafs fans for every non-Leaf fan.

What baffles me is the fact that despite such a pathetic record – including seven years without playoff hockey – the team still continues to be one of the NHL's most valuable teams. I took Perspectives on Hockey as my Gen Ed during my first year, and that's where my eyes were opened. I will attribute most of my hockey knowledge to that class and NHL 2002, not frozen ponds and rubber pucks, which sadly don't exist in tropical India.

I've heard many stories on what went wrong for the Leafs during this past year. Some fans say goaltending, and it turns out that post 2005, James Reimer had the best save percentage with .912. Other fans say the lack of a franchise player, someone of the status of say Nick Lidstrom or Steve Yzerman for Detroit. Obviously, every team wants to have a franchise player on the roster so really this is no reason for the Leafs to be struggling if you ask me. Sometimes all it takes is luck and good scouting.

The reason I've come across most often is Brian Burke. Now, I know I'm in no position to comment on his performance as general manager, although it does seem that Leafs fans have given up hope in their GM. I've even come across a thread called "Official Brian Burke Thread; Let Your Anger Out" on the official Leafs website, something I've never ever seen on any pro teams website. I even remember a Don Cherry blast when he cried the Leafs were the only team to not have a player from Ontario on the roster last season (unless you count London's Nazem Kadri's cup of coffee with the team). It got me thinking, why (arguably) does Ontario's biggest hockey team not have an Ontarian on the roster? I'm sure Burke has his reasons and I'm not one to dabble in his affairs.

The streak will end, I know it. Manchester City from the English Premier League ended their 35- year run without a trophy in 2011 and followed that up with their first league title in 44 years the following season; if they can do it, so can the Maple Leafs. Until then, let's all laugh at them.

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8864&sectionID=4&issueID=212
Image Credit: http://pisarek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/Leafjersey.JPG
Video Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLdTKNXpCqs

Sharing roots with Russell Peters

"Somebody Gonna Get A Hurt Real Bad"

Everyone's favourite comedian is Canadian. You got it; I'm referring to Russell Peters, the first comedian to ever perform in front of a sold-out crowd at the Air Canada Centre. What makes this week's column even more special to me is the simple reason that I share similar roots with Peters: the only significant differences that come to mind is that he was born in Canada, I was born in India and he's a lot more famous than I am right now.

I'm going to take the similar roots aspect a little more in depth: How about I say the same city? That's right, for I grew up in Calcutta, the same city where Peters' mom was born. This YouTube sensation was in Calcutta as recently as 2008, but unfortunately for me, I couldn't be at his performance, although I do not remember the reason why. I do, however, know some people who did attend this show, and when the 5'10" brown skinned man eventually came out on stage a half an hour late (which, by the way, is normal for Calcutta standards), he said something I remember to this day. His reason for the delay? "I have always identified myself as an Indian. I am Indian. In fact, that has been my answer to every question I've ever been asked, whether it makes sense or not. 'What's your name?' I'm Indian. 'What do you do?' I'm Indian. 'Why are you late?' I'm Indian."

Funny story here, by the way: the reason I watched Breakaway was indeed Peters, where he plays bridegroom-to-be Sonu Gill in his own characteristic way. I also just recently came across videos from the 2008 and 2009 Juno Awards, hosted by Peters, and while I know he isn't everyone's favourite award show host, he certainly made it look easy, again in his own characteristic way. But the biggest reason why I look up to this comic is because he dissed 'Bollywood.' Bollywood, for those unaware, is India's version of Hollywood, and while I admit they do make some great movies from time to time, the film industry of late makes Indians "look dumb" (as quoted by Peters in an article on expressindia.com dated October 21, 2008).

I've also seen a fair share of critics for Peters, who mostly look down upon him as being racially insensitive, which for me is the prime reason why he has been so successful all these years. Coming from a minority background in Canada does help one see life in a completely different light. I should know, I'm seeing a whole new side to life that was unheard of back in India. "I don't make stereotypes, I see them," he said in one show in San Francisco. One of the first Anglo-Indian comics who made fun of South Asian culture, Peters is, in my opinion, just your average guy trying to raise awareness about stereotypes through wit and humour. I end, otherwise "somebody gonna get a hurt real bad."

Orignally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8750&sectionID=2&issueID=210
Image Credit:http://www.leaderpost.com/7323457.bin
Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuYM-KZIczs