Ryan Fulford

The city of Boston was torn apart in April, shocked by the actions of two men in the Boston Marathon bombing. In the months following, sports fans and Beantown residents in general have rallied, their support for each other exemplified in the 2013 Stanley Cup run of the Boston Bruins – the embodiment of the toughness and spirit of the city. This is destiny. This is sports.

By now you’ve probably seen the circus act that was Game 3 between the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. Myriad opinions abound about the tactics used and the actions undertaken in that game, with some fans revelling in the “old-time hockey”-style of play, while others, such as Ken Campbell from The Hockey News, have denounced it. Is this what happens when the “code” takes precedence over the NHL rulebook?

Steve Ott has been a called a lot of things over the course of his career, but among them has been the word “tough”. However, the longtime pest and current Buffalo Sabre made headlines recently by making perfectly clear his displeasure with the fans in his own building that boo his team. Does he, does any one, have the right to criticize a home fan base booing the on-ice product that he and his teammates are producing?

I’ll admit I live a life of fantasy. I’ve been doing so for some time now. Although that fact is no secret to my family and friends, what started as a ‘hobby’ has become not only a time-consuming passion, but also a painstaking pursuit of glory and salvation bordering on religious fanaticism. This is fantasy hockey. This is what we live for.

In a follow up to his preview of the goaltenders and defenseman in line to suit up for Team Canada at the 2014 Olympic games, Ryan Fulford takes the time to weigh in on the forward contingent. Will the sheer depth of offensive talent be enough to help the nation repeat a historical 2010 performance when they take the ice in Sochi?