(Image: Leon Switzer)
After MLSE brass booted Brian Burke from the general manager’s office in January, a small but rabid corner of the Internet speculated that the reason for his ouster was a steamy extramarital affair with Sportsnet Connected host Hazel Mae. Some of the rumour-mongers even alleged that he knocked her up. On Friday, Burke launched a defamation lawsuit against 18 of the online commenters—thereby introducing the rumour to a whole section of the public who had never even heard it in the first place. (For the record, Mae supports his case.) The reason for doing so, his lawyer says, is a matter of principle: because Burke has the cash to pursue the case through the courts, he decided it’s up to him to “stop people who post comments on the Internet from thinking they can fabricate wild stories with impunity.” The effect of Burke’s high-minded rhetoric is marred only slightly by the fact that the accused parties are currently known only as “KaBoomin8,” “Slobberface” and “Poonerman.” [CBC]
NHL hockey is finally here after a 119-day standoff between owners and the players union that robbed fans of nearly half the season. The Toronto Maple Leafs begin the season on the road against the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow night, and Toronto’s ever-loyal fans are readying their jerseys and face paint. Unfortunately, the Leafs’ chances of hoisting the cup this year are slim (Vegas oddsmakers peg them at 
Hey, it was a great while it lasted.
The Toronto Maple Leafs 
