Published May 03, 2025 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 4 minute readThe Charlottetown Islanders baseball team is getting some fundraising help from Don McDougall. ContributedThe Toronto Maple Leafs jumped out to a 3-0 in the best-of-seven opening-round Stanley Cup series versus the Ottawa Senators, but it hasn’t been easy.The Leafs won Games 2 and 3 in overtime before Ottawa stayed alive with another close OT win in Game 4. Toronto fans expected their club to clinch the series with a Game 5 win in Toronto, but they were listless in a shutout 4-0 loss.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Leafs did bounce back to clinch the series with a 4-2 win in Game 6 in Ottawa on May 1.But Toronto’s play has shattered my faith in the Maple Leafs and, so far in the playoffs, this club has shown that they are not much different than previous Leafs’ teams that suffered playoff failures.It’s also quite clear to me Mitch Marner’s days in Toronto are numbered. He’ll be headed elsewhere, most likely to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where ex-Leafs GM Kyle Dubas would dearly love to have him on a line with Sidney Crosby.Marner and Auston Matthews were on the ice for all goals in the Game 5 loss and continued sub-par performances will make Marner’s departure a more palatable sell in Toronto, if they lose early.I picked the Leafs to go a long way in this year’s playoffs. I thought they’d play with more intensity and fire but, right now, I’m looking for the nearest lifeboat and may just abandon ship as they face the well-rounded and experienced Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers in Round 2. I’m cheering for them but. . .Article contentBlue JaysThe Blue Jays have been a disappointment thus far. They have good starting pitching and bullpen but no hitting.I said last winter when the Jays acquired second baseman Andres Gimenez that he would tighten up the middle infield, but such a huge salary for a guy coming off a terrible season was far too risky. I said, at the time, it looked like a salary dump by Cleveland. He’s hitting .176, right now and he comes as advertised – great fielder, no hitting.In baseball issues, I’m like The Pope in religious matters – infallible.The Jays’ base-running is pathetic. How many times have you heard me say, “Never take chances when you’re behind, only in rare circumstances.”It’s called winning baseball, and after three years under manager John Schneider, nothing has changed.Two come-from-behind wins over Boston on April 30 and May 1 were just what the Blue Jays needed. Let’s hope the bats can stay hot.Local baseballIn local baseball, you’ve got to admire our longtime friend Don McDougall, who brought the Blue Jays to Canada. McDougall is spearheading the new artificial baseball diamond in Mill River and now is supporting the Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders, the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League champions, in their fundraiser at the P.E.I. Brewing Company on May 3.Article contentOne auction item has a stay at the beautiful Mill River Resort, green fees, etc. as part of a package. Also, there are two rounds of golf with a cart at Glasgow Hills.Read More FIDDLER’S FACTS: P.E.I. teams in championship spotlight FIDDLER’S FACTS: High on Maple Leafs Hockey poolsVarious Stanley Cup hockey pools are creating plenty of excitement Island wide. There’s one at Red Shores, organized by Joey MacKinnon, but in that one Donnie Doyle heads a top field with Tony MacKenzie, Daffy Dunn and Joey Farrell in close pursuit.Not much change in the Coach’s Restaurant pool – Gord Dwyer and Trent Birt have sunk near the basement, second-last with 25 points – just two more than basement boys, Stretch Gaudet and his partner Holland College’s Sandy MacDonald at 23 points.The Alley contest (Ray’s still on top) was won last year by the team of George Halliwell and Oyster Bay’s Aaron Axworthy but AA is not there this year – and it shows. Down East Auto Parts Eastern Stars forward Ellie Mullins attempts to block a shot from the Edmonton Jr. Oilers in a round-robin game at the 2025 Esso Cup in Lloydminster, Alta., on April 24. The Oilers won the game 2-0. Photo by Heather Pollock /Hockey CanadaEastern StarsThat was some performance by P.E.I.’s Down East Auto Parts Eastern Stars at the Esso Cup Canadian under-18 female hockey championship in Alberta last week.Article contentThe Stars went 1-3-1 (won-lost-overtime losses) but the P.E.I. team did beat Quebec 3-2. Some of the P.E.I. standouts were goaltender Olivia Lowe, captain Kali MacDonald, Taylor Hunter, Miah Lawlor and Emily Lutley. Much credit to head coach and former pro Blaine Fitzpatrick along with general manager Mike Lutley and the entire organization.Horse racingIt’s the first Saturday in May and that means the Kentucky Derby – the major test of the year for three-year-old thoroughbreds. You can bet on it at Red Shores on May 3.Not only that, it’s the first live card of the summer CDP season on May 3. The 12-dash live card has a $4,550 Race 11 feature with the likes of One Eight Hundred, Bacononabiscuit, Blood Money, Jewel’s Dragon, Tradition and Tony Too Tall.At Mohawk on May 3, Merigo Magic is in the $79,000 Graduate final against a tough field – Century Komodo, Funtime Bayama, Shadow Storm and Chain Gang. Also on May 3, Th Kay C Crunch, co-owned by the Jamiesons and Anita Macdonald, makes his debut in Race 5 versus Lite Up the World and eight others. Crunch and Lite look like two of the best sophomores out this summer.Stash It Away was claimed for $20,000 on April 28 and goes in Race 3 on May 3. Also in to go are locally-owned Tobins Chester, Cabot Beach and Uncle Shank.Congrats to Fellows Flames for winning the horsemen’s spring hockey tournament. Standouts were Jett and Jodie Jamieson and J R Plante and his son, Tyler.Fred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at fiddlersfacts@hotmail.com. Article content
Blue Jays off to disappointting start
