The ultimate distraction

Image of Milos Raonic by The Associated Press, The Province
Image of Milos Raonic by The Associated Press, The Province

A big year for Canada

By Josh Martin, Sports Editor

No matter where you are in life, there are always ups and downs. Whether you’re busy with studying for the next exam, working, or working at trying to find a job, there has to be some sort of “out.” For some, this means screaming the lyrics of Weezer’s “Say it Ain’t So,” at the top of their lungs in the passenger seat of their friends mustang. For others, this means watching a live performance of Cats while indulging in some buttery popcorn. And for the rest, it means sitting down to a good old-fashioned game of football/baseball/hockey/whatever else fits your fancy.

With the Toronto Blue Jays deemed as being the World Series favourites and being in the discussions of the championship for the first time since they won it in back-to-back seasons in 1992 and 1993, sports fans across Canada are jumping on the bandwagon. Ticket sales and prices have risen with hype surrounding the team of the off-season 12-player blockbuster trade that the Blue Jays made with the Miami Marlins.

In the NHL, the playoffs are right around the corner, with what looks like for the first time in seven years, four Canadian teams playing in the post-season. With a handful of games left in the regular season, the Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens all have promising positions.

Last week in the world of tennis, Milos Raonic helped team Canada advance to the semi-finals of the Davis Cup for the first time in Canadian history. They defeated Italy and will face Novak Djokovic and team Serbia in the World Group semifinals in September.

For all you sports fans out there, this is an all-you-can-eat buffet with drinks on the house. School is coming to an end and soon it’ll be T-shirt and shorts weather. Indulge, enjoy, and be proud to be Canadian. This is your “out.”