j i

 

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By Josh Martin, Sports Editor

he Boston Bruins were invited
| by President Barack Obama last
Monday to the White House to be
congratulated for their efforts in winning
the 2011 Stanley Cup Championship.
However, there was one member on
the team who chose not to partake in
the celebrations due to his political
and ideological differences with the
Obama administration: Vezina Trophy
winner, last year’s top goaltender in the
regular season league, and playoff MVP,
goaltender Tim Thomas.

The 37-year-old stated on his
Facebook account that “[he believes] the
federal government has grown out of
control, threatening the rights, liberties,
and property of the people,” he also
stated that his decision to stay away “was
not about politics or party, as in [his]
opinion both parties are responsible for
the situation we are in as a country.”

Thomas is most famous for shutting
down the Canucks last spring in the
Finals, and was one of the biggest reasons
why the Bruins took the Stanley Cup
home to Boston for the first time in 39
years. The American-born Michigan
native was the only Bruin that did not
attend the celebrations at the White
House, showing what some view as a
huge layer of disrespect towards the
President.

Bruins goalie disrespects Obama

Perhaps Canucks backup goaltender
and fellow American, Cory Schneider,
put it best, “I don’t believe in everything
the Catholic Church does, but I’d still
show up to the Vatican and say hi to
the Pope... [have no problem with his
personal beliefs, but [Thomas] can suck
it up for an hour, say hi and be with his
team, and avoid all of this... respect the
[presidency]. He plays for Team USA and
he has no problem making millions of
dollars in the USA, but he can’t say hi to
the President.”

Words of wisdom from the young
25-year-old, who shows a significantly
higher level of class and respect than the
Stanley Cup champion who just created
a big mess in the world of sports media.
There were even ridiculous discussions
that went as far as Thomas being racist
towards Obama and that being the sole
reason why he chose not to visit the
White House.

Veteran TSN Broadcaster, Dave
Hodge tweeted “Don’t know if it’s fair
to point this out, but Tim Thomas has
three children named Kiley, Kelsey, and
Keegan.” This particular tweet was in no
doubt referring to the KKK organization
and drew a lot of social media attention
for the wrong reasons.

Now that’s blowing this whole thing
out of proportion.

The next day Hodge tweeted, “To
clarify, yesterday’s tweet was simply a
satirical, tongue-in-cheek observation
meant to be humorous and not intended
to be offensive.”

With all that said, the point is, that
one decision that Thomas made may be
in his best interest for his own rights and
beliefs, but it is drawing a lot of negative
media attention to himself and could
ultimately create some rifts in the locker
room.

And that, ultimately, is kryptonite to
a successful team. Such a rash decision by
the goalie will create some buzz with his
teammates whether they show it or not.
Sure they can respect why Thomas didn’t
want to make an appearance at the White
House, but a team isn’t a team at sucha
noteworthy event without their number
one goaltender. Without their playoff
MVP. And without their Vezina Trophy
winner.

Tim Thomas is not showing his
teammates respect, his country respect, or
his job respect. He will be his own worst
enemy in the end.

 

Sports.

Royals Roundup

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La

@ Photo by Jerald Walliser

By Josh Martin, Sports Editor

games this past weekend against the CBC

Bearcats on Friday and Saturday night, losing
the first match 3-2 and winning the second match
3-1. They are in second position in the standings
with a 15-5 record and 30 points through 20 matches
played.

Next weekend they face-off against the Camosun
Chargers here at Douglas on Friday night at 7:45
p-m. and Saturday afternoon at 2:45 p.m.

The women’s volleyball team also had back-to-
back games against the Bearcats, losing their first
match 3-0 and their second match the following
day 3-2. They are sixth in the standings with a 2-18
record and four points in 20 matches. They’Il be
facing the Chargers next weekend on Friday at 6
p-m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.

The men’s basketball team didn’t quite have the
weekend they were hoping for, losing against the
Camosun Chargers on Friday night by a score of 84—
76 and then falling short against the VIU Mariners
on Saturday 87-73. They are currently in sixth place
in the standings with a 5-6 record and 10 points in 11
games. Next weekend sees a pair of road games, the
first against the Kwantlen Eagles on Friday night at
8 p.m. and the second on Saturday night against the
Langara Falcons at 8 p.m.

The women’s basketball team lost against the
Chargers on Friday night with a final score of 60-48.
They played again on Saturday losing against the
Mariners by a score of 78-42. They are in eighth spot
in the standings with a 1-10 record and two points
through 11 games. Next weekend they play the
Eagles at 6 p.m. on Friday night and the Falcons at 6
p-m. on Saturday night.

Come on Douglas, support your Royals!

Te men’s volleyball team had back-to-back

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