Episode 59 of The Shootaround is out. This week we talk Leafs, NHL Playoffs, NBA playoffs, the Julio Jones trade and Blake gives his Toronto Blue Jays Hype Report https://t.co/5w9Njdz5aY — Bench Life Sports (@benchlifesports) June 7, 2021 (1:50) Adam and Cameron go through arbitration and are handed out fines for groupchat conduct (20:55) Tom reluctantly addresses the Toronto Maple Leafs (34:55) NHL Playoffs and the defence of Marc-Andre Fleury (47:27) NBA Playoffs (1:09:15) Julio Jones traded to the Titans (1:19:05) Blake’s Blue Jays Hype Report ..read more

The first round of the NHL playoffs provides us with plenty of surprises every season, and this year was no exception. With multiple games on every night for the last two weeks, there’s been plenty of action to keep track of, so I’ll try to touch on some of the biggest storylines from the first round. Edmonton Oilers get swept The Edmonton Oilers are a team with three talented forwards, which was clearly enough for them in the regular season, but the playoffs proved to be a different story. Connor McDavid went from averaging almost 2 points per game to just 1 per game in the series, but only o ..read more

Another week, another jersey blog. Sometimes you have to grab the hard hat and lunch pail, clock in, grind through the shift, then clock out. If you want in, be sure to DM pictures of your favourite jersey to one of the Bench Life Social accounts every Wednesday night. Jersey of the Week Submissions View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bench Life Sports (@bench_life_sports) Fifth Place Andrew Wiggins Timberwolves Phil Waind sends in his Andrew “Maple Jordan” Wiggins Minnesota Timberwolves jersey pic.twitter.com/XLZWZBYNRd — Bench Life Sports (@benchlifesports) February 18, 2021 ..read more

Another week. Another jersey blog. This week we got a few fresh faces in on the “Jersey of the Week” submissions. Something you truly love to see. If you want in, be sure to DM pictures of your favourite jersey to one of the Bench Life Social accounts every Wednesday night. Jersey of the Week Submissions View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bench Life Sports (@bench_life_sports) Fifth Elvis Merzlikins Columbus Blue Jackets “Canon” Third Jersey Elvis Merzlikins Columbus Blue Jackets third jersey from @beamerr9 #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/viElCXXJmi — Bench Life Sports (@benchl ..read more

Listen to "Sunday Shootaround Episode 20 – Fictional Athlete Fantasy Draft + Toronto's Fictional Playoff Hopes" by Bench Talk Radio https://t.co/Y2tfnXcGnZ — Bench Life Sports (@benchlifesports) August 10, 2020 This week we draft fictional athletes from movies and tv. But the main attraction is the clash ahead of Game 5 of Maple Leafs vs Blue Jackets. Noted Blue Jackets fan Ben holds his ground as Blake and I see Toronto’s playoff aspirations evaporate. Tune in for some pre-game thoughts as well as a live post-game reaction. Here’s a look at how our fantasy draft shook out: As always with ..read more

I’ve voiced my disdain for the NHL’s 24 team playoff format to anyone that would listen so it’s time I put the words to blog form. In my opinion the new format cheapens the product that the NHL and its fans love to boast about every spring; the chase Stanley Cup as the toughest playoffs in sports. Between the neutral sites, teams playing in front of empty stands and seemingly most teams with a pulse granted entry, it’s safe to say that this won’t be a playoff we’re used to seeing. The biggest allure for the NHL to get a playoffs in is the chance to potentially be the only sport running for a f ..read more

With the NHL season on pause indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak, hockey fans are left wondering “what if?” What if the season wasn’t interrupted and teams were preparing for the Stanley Cup Playoffs to begin shortly? While we’re left waiting to find out whether or not the playoffs will even happen this year, I figured there’s still one way to figure out what would have happened. That’s right, we’re going to the very reliable EA Sports NHL 20 to simulate the playoffs and see what would have happened had the season not been put on hold. The playoff matchups are based on how the standin ..read more

It’s been a while since I’ve put my Leafs thoughts to pen and paper… or I guess to keys and blog (what an ambitious run the “Blue and White Blog” had from September 2019 to October 2019). But a gut wrenching loss like last night’s is enough to get a reluctant old desperado to take to the saddle and get back into the ring. To be fair last night’s loss wasn’t Toronto’s most embarrassing loss. That can be attributed to November 16’s horrid 6-1 drubbing to a banged up Pittsburgh squad. But I’d argue that last night’s game was the worst loss of the season. While calling last night’s game “the worst ..read more

Talkin’ Leafs Yeah I’m worried. Last night should’ve been a win for your Toronto Maple Leafs but evidently the team didn’t agree. CBJ isn’t the most talented team by any stretch but you could see that they wanted that win. We’re 10 games into the season and Toronto’s biggest problem has been the fact that their core four, Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Rielly, have had zero interest in battling for the puck. Sure they’ve been capitalizing and scoring when the other team makes a mistake. But the rest of the time, particularly in their own zone, they’re letting the other team dictate the pace an ..read more

Whew Freddie with the ball pic.twitter.com/Phd7ghUpJX — Flintor (@TheFlintor) October 21, 2019 That 5-4 OT win Saturday night was a bit of a rollercoaster. There’s a lot to take away from it, and quite a bit of it was troubling. I couldn’t get a preview up in time on the weekend since I was mixing in a few cervezas in Ottawa. Some things are bigger than sports. Let me preface this by saying that, if the Leafs plan on actually beating Boston this year, Saturday was a must-win. Playing the against Boston’s back-up goalie at home with Freddy in net on their side of the ice. Toronto really had ..read more