Denis: Not Easy Closing Out A Playoff Series!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and Canada will share hosting duties with the USA and Mexico. These are exciting times for soccer in the country. It will surely raise the profile of the sport and drive more interest. Like with any major sports event, there is always a recurring subject which is the cost of organizing such an event. Vancouver is dealing with this matter very publicly as new budget forecasts are significantly higher than the initial budget at the bidding phase. Let’s discuss the topic, what’s at stake, why it’s relevant to us here and the pros and cons of hosting one of the largest sport events in history.

Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire on what he thinks is going on with Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, why he think sweeping changes are coming in Winnipeg and what he expects from the matchups tonight

Former NHL defenceman Aaron Ward on what he expects from game six between the Leafs and the Bruins and why he doesn't think the Bruins are sweating the game five loss and what he thinks of long time Play-by-play voice of the Boston Bruins Jack Edwards

TSN hockey analyst Gord Miller on the turn that the Leafs series took to send it back to Toronto, who bears responsibility for the clubs underperformance and what the expectations are for the Tampa Bay Lightning going forward

PWHL Montreal defenceman Erin Ambrose on her teams final game of the regular season this Saturday and her chase for most assists on the season

Campbell vs Gallo on Habs Lunch debate a 'WHAT If" question. Would you trade Martin St. louis for Jon Cooper?

Toronto is getting a WNBA team in 2026! Michaela and Vanessa have all the info ahead of next week’s big press conference. The PWHL Playoffs have been thrilling! Montreal is swept by Boston in 3 shocking OT games. Minnesota has turned the tables on Toronto. 2.1 million viewers tuned in to watch Caitlin Clark put up 20 points and commit 10 turnovers in her pro debut. A’ja Wilson finally has her own signature shoe! Has Vivianne Miedema played her last game for WSL Arsenal?

This week on The 1st Half, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Alain Louis the 6’1 Guard for the CEBL’s Montreal Alliance. They explore, Louis’s upbringing, playing basketball in Europe and with the Alliance, his favorite soccer team growing up and how he thinks basketball can grow even more in Montreal. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, Real Madrid facing off against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Final, Leicester City getting promoted back up to the Premier League, Canada hiring Jesse Marsch as their new head coach and more. Tune into The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6pm where you can expect the unexpected with weekly guests, deep dives into soccer's heart, its influence on pop culture, and the kind of banter only Paul can deliver.

Hockey analyst and co-host of The Eye Test podcast Pierre McGuire on the finesse of line matching, why Carolina got knocked out and what he expects will happen in playoff hockey over the weekend

Former NHL defenceman Aaron Ward on the Carolina Hurricanes getting knocked out and the Rangers advancing to the conference final, what he expects from tonight game 6's and takes your questions for Ask Aaron Anything Friday