• hockey
• Meagher

Monday, June 9, 2008

Smile, you're on Hockey Night in Canada

posted by jmeagher at 13h38

So, what are a couple of West Island guys doing on Hockey Night in Canada?

Why, cheering on Mike Babcock's Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals, of course.

Roxboro’s Earl “The Pearl” Zukerman and Jay McMullan of Beaconsfield
were both at Game 1 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit to support "Babs",
the former McGill Redmen captain, whose machine-like Wings are up 2-0
in the finals against Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

Zukerman, McGill’s sports information officer, is largely
responsible for the fact Babcock sported a McGill tie for Game 1 on
Saturday, bringing his lifetime record to an impeccable 4-0 while
wearing the cravat of his esteemed alma mater.

The Pearl sent Babcock the lucky tie during last year’s playoffs and
occasionally will ask the Babcock to wear it for old time’s sake.

“I don’t ask too often,” said the Pearl, who has done more to promote McGill hockey than anyone on the planet.

McMullan, now a dentist practicing on the West Island, is Babcock’s
old defence partner with the Redmen in the 1980s, when they formed one
of the most formidable blueline pairings in the Quebec university ranks.

The McGill party of eight former Redmen all donned white McGill
jerseys and were showcased by CBC television cameras panning the crowd.

“White shows better on TV than red does,” reasoned Zukerman, who plans to go back to Detroit for Game 5.

If there is a Game 5.

After last Saturday’s easy 4-0 win, Zukerman and the McGill party
were given a tour of the Red Wings dressing room by the hospitable
Babcock.

“Very impressive,” said Zukerman.

So, too, are Babcock’s Red Wings.