HodgePodge: NHL second-round predictions, passing of Mr. Bill Scutt

NHL second-round predictions, passing of Mr. Bill Scutt

HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge

This will likely rank as the shortest HodgePodge ever. Long council session followed by birthday dinner then early to bed for Okanagan Water Basin Board meeting in early morning.

I freely admit to being crestfallen and still throbbing from the demise of my beloved Maple Leafs. When I watched in horror as they dropped to three games to one in the series against the Bruins I remained optimistic. When they evened the series at three games apiece, I truly believed the boys in blue could pull off the miracle. It just seems that little bit extra cruel, therefore, to take the lead in the critical last few minutes of the third period in game seven, and then lose the game to Boston in overtime.

In my earlier predictions I had picked a seven game overtime series with Boston – but it was Toronto that was supposed to win. Sigh.

So here we go with my second-round predictions.

New York Rangers will defeat Carolina Hurricanes in six games, while Boston will edge Florida in a brutal, physical seven game series.

On the west division side of the battleground, Dallas will defeat Colorado in six, while Edmonton will shave Vancouver in six. (Breaking my heart for the second time in one playoff year).

The Stanley Cup final will see Edmonton win it all beating the Rangers in five games.


It is with heavy hurt and deep sadness that I mention the passing of Bill Scutt.

A warm, wonderful jolly man Bill Scutt loved life and the people he knew. A fine, caring man Scutt quietly supported many causes and friends. One of his passions was supporting heritage buildings using his visionary skills and energy to restore and protect several buildings in the downtown core and elsewhere.

His laugh was infectious.

William Peter (Bill) Scutt died suddenly April 27 while at home.

My condolences to his wife Pamela Vaughn and several family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at the Kelowna Yacht Club.

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HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Charlie Hodge is a best-selling author, writer, a current Kelowna City Councillor, and a Director on the Regional District of the Central Okanagan Board. He spent more than 25 years as a full-time newspaper journalist and has a diverse background in public relations, promotions, personal coaching, and strategic planning. A former managing editor, assistant editor, sports editor, entertainment editor, journalist, and photographer, Hodge also co-hosted a variety of radio talk shows and still writes a regular weekly newspaper column titled Hodge Podge, which he has crafted now for 41 years. His biography on Howie Meeker, titled Golly Gee It’s Me is a Canadian bestseller and his second book, Stop It There, Back It Up – 50 Years of the NHL garnered lots of attention from media and hockey fans alike. Charlie is currently working on a third hockey book, as well as a contracted historical/fiction novel. His creative promotional skills and strategic planning have been utilized for many years in the Canadian music industry, provincial, national, and international environmental fields, and municipal, provincial, and federal politics. Charlie is a skilled facilitator, a dynamic motivational speaker, and effective personal coach. His hobbies include gardening, canoeing, playing pool, and writing music. Charlie shares his Okanagan home with wife Teresa and five spoiled cats.

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