Opinions aren’t always accurate

It’s been said the only thing in life that remains constant is change. And so, it seems, even for myself. Beyond my rapidly receding hairline, I have morphed. A couple of close friends recently confided that they noticed a definite trend when it came to expressing my viewpoint far more liberally on matters of local sports.

Not that my views were necessarily any more enlightened nor my assessments any more correct. Moreso, it’s a clear move towards sharing my take on the events which unfold in the rinks, gymnasiums and fields I travel almost daily.

I suspect that it’s only natural. As one develops a particular comfort level with any given subject, one is naturally more likely to share their thoughts on this newly-developed area of expertise.

Mind you, “expertise” is not exactly the word that comes to mind when I tackle my first subject matter — my much-heralded high school pre-season football predictions. A year ago, I was strutting from field to field, having accurately predicted all but three games in the local gridiron loop (and one of those errors was due to a tie).

I entered the 2009 season knowing full well that it easily represented the most challenging task of handicapping the squads in recent memory, based on the fact that so many teams appeared to be reasonably well-matched.

That said, forecasting the potential city champion Confederation Chargers to limp in with a 2-4 record and miss the playoffs altogether, will likely go down as my biggest gaffe to date. Proving I was equally adept at overestimation as I was at underestimation, my 4-2 mark for the St. Benedict Bears (1-5) might well slide in at number two.

As one develops a particular comfort level with any given subject, one is naturally more likely to share their thoughts on this newly-developed area of expertise.

Although I did not get around to putting my semi-final thoughts on paper, I am more than willing to acknowledge that there was no way on earth I would have given the nod to Collège Notre-Dame over a St. Charles crew that appeared far too balanced for any other SDSSAA opponent.

The next subject is at the post-secondary level. I hold in great regard the many experienced coaches who continue to ply their trade, year after year, passing along their expertise to at least a couple of generations of athletes. One cannot help but to admire the work of the likes of Dale Beausoleil, Dick Moss and many others of their ilk.

But there is a refreshing and youthful enthusiasm that becomes injected when new faces, such as Giuseppe Politi and Meghan Juuti, hit the scene. There is little doubt that the challenges facing all post-secondary varsity teams in northern Ontario creates an uneven playing field right from the get-go.

Yet it seems that it’s only over time that these ongoing challenges appear almost insurmountable, making the best-case scenario only a middle of the pack performance. Rookie coaches, anxious to make a name for themselves, have not yet become aware of the futility of their efforts — and that’s not a bad thing at all.

More random thoughts – as I watched the Sudbury Wolves recently ice a lineup that included a total of just six forwards with any OHL experience whatsoever, I could not help but wonder if the team regretted their decisions this year to bid adieu to the likes of Dean Howard and Jordan Ramsey.

I have also been vocal in the past in suggesting that third and fourth-year OHLers should not be clogging up the Wolves fourth line, taking away what should be valuable development time for the likes of Greg Jambrosich, Greg Trichilo and Kristoff Kontos. I guess you can’t have it both ways.

It will be nice this year to see the Notre-Dame Alouettes very likely receive a pretty decent threat to their ongoing monopoly of girls high school hockey. There is little disputing that the St. Charles College Cardinals welcome the largest and most impactful group of high school freshman.

Combined with the transfer of Sarah Prescott from Lasalle to St. Charles and the departure of Alouettes defenseman Danielle Rancourt, attending school in British Columbia, the two teams should combine for some very entertaining hockey.

And still with girls hockey, a note to all those who firmly believe that a trek to attend an institution south of the border is required in order to combine academics with a sport that they love — take a quick gander at the roster of the Windsor Lancers.

Over the past two years, Copper Cliff native Jamie Tessier has established herself as one of the top puck-stoppers in the OUA. Now, CND graduate Manon Davis finds herself third in league scoring, netting seven goals in her opening eight games.

Although I feel like I’m just getting started, the reality of print media is that copy space is a precious commodity.

With that in mind, I’ll end my ramblings right there, though if anyone wants to chat while I’m out and about, there’a a good chance you’ll have some work ahead of you trying to shut me up.

Randy Pascal is the voice of Eastlink Sports and the founder of SudburySports.com.