Weekend Roundup

Thanksgiving weekend in Canada meant little interweb access for The Blue & White, and the following is a summary of the two most important events missed:

[1] Jason Blake has cancer.
[2] See #1.

Blake’s form of cancer is Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). It's an increase in white blood cells that originate in bone marrow. It is classified as chronic because the cells develop very gradually - slower than normal cells - but last quite a bit longer and build up in the body.

Blake's pre-season physical uncovered the cancer, and it was confirmed to him by doctors on Friday. Team doctor Noah Forman echoed the research (translation: Google search) that I've done since learning of Blake's CML - medical science has come a long way in the recent past toward treatment of this particular cancer. A pill taken once a day - nicknamed the Magic Bullet as a testament to its effectiveness - can control the cancer. There was a 100% fatality rate until a few years ago, and now has a survival rate of 85 to 90%. Best. News. Ever.

An excerpt from the CML article on Answers.com: “Before the discovery of modern therapies, patients often spent between three-and-a-half and five years in the chronic phase. Then some patients entered an accelerated phase, from which most died within 18 months. Once patients were in the terminal, blastic phase most died within six months. However, all of this has changed with the arrival of newer therapeutic techniques. Just as many patients used to die from heart attack while similar patients may now live for decades, so cancer patients are achieving longer lives.”

A fact that is obviously secondary to Blake's health is that it appears Jason can continue to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Judging by the statements given by Blake and the team over the last couple of days, it seems that CML is on the mild side of cancers. That's a bit like saying Fidel Castro is on the mild side of dictators - because cancer is cancer is cancer - but if ever there was a time for positive thinking, it is now.

After watching the Leafs' press conference, I really gained respect for Blake. He has put on a brave face and focused on the fact that his affliction is 'highly treatable' and that a long healthy life is not only possible but realistic. But when the subject of his family was brought up, Blake wept. It really put the severity of the diagnosis into perspective when I watched a grown man break down in tears at the thought of his family. This is a real threat.

Not that it means anything, but The Blue & White wishes Jason the best. If his approach to treating the CML is anything like his playing career, the cancer doesn't stand a chance.


Oh yeah, and the Leafs beat those poutine-eating scumbags from Montreal 4-3 in overtime. Alexei Ponikarovski scored twice after (temporarily) taking Jason Blake's spot alongside Mats Sundin. As of Saturday night, Blake knew of his cancer, and the team did not. Imagine learning of life-changing news such as that, then immediately being demoted from the first line? I can't imagine Paul Maurice feels good about himself in hindsight.

Tomas Kaberle potted the winning goal on a powerplay. The Leafs’ powerplay had previously been ineffective, but is bound to finish in the top 10 of the league.

Random Game Notes:
- Ian White’s goal was simply fantastically placed. White is an underrated offensive d-man, as he is buried in the Leafs depth chart.

- Alexei Ponikarovski’s 2^nd goal wasn’t spectacular, but it showed some real skill being applied. Methinks Poni is coming of age.

- Vesa Toskala’s save on Patrice Brisebrois in overtime was the kind of game-saver that he has consistently shown to be capable of. That save was the reason he was picked up in the off-season.