News item: Rioting broke out in Vancouver after the Canucks were shut out by the Boston Bruins Wednesday night in the seventh game of the NHL Finals. Rowdy Canadians set cars on fire, looted shops and assaulted each other in the worst sports riot in the city since 1994.
My take: I'm sure you're as appalled as I am. I mean, it's not like they lost to Duke.
News item: In an upset that didn't seem to upset anybody outside of South Florida, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6 Monday night to win the NBA championship.
My take: I'm not jumping on the LeBron James bashwagon, but the only thing better than that would have been to have had Thursday's victory parade in Cleveland.
Related news item: Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted afterward that he was in bed with the NBA championship trophy.
My take: Well, that sounds a little weird, but it probably wouldn't get you kicked out of Congress.
News item: Young Irishman Rory McIlroy set a U.S. Open record for lowest two-round score with his 11-under-par 131 Thursday and Friday, building a huge lead by the time he completed his second round at Congressional.
My take: The kid is emerging as the next great star of golf at a time when Tiger Woods seems to be surrendering the stage, but — with his Masters meltdown still fresh in everybody's mind — he needs to build on that lead today to hold the pressure down on Sunday.
News item: Orioles pitching coach Mark Connor unexpectedly quit Monday for personal reasons and was replaced by bullpen coach Rick Adair.
My take: I'm sure it's tempting to believe Connor viewed the O's pitching staff with a quiet resignation, but I'm going to take him at his word and wish him Godspeed and good health.
News item: The Orioles were ranked 67th in this year's "Ultimate Team List," a comprehensive ranking of the teams from the four major American professional sports leagues that was published in the latest edition of ESPN The Magazine.
My take: That might not sound like much, but the O's weren't even in the top 100 last year. The Ravens, meanwhile, were ranked 21st — one slot lower than last year.
News item: If you believe some of the whispers out of the NFL labor talks this week, the negotiations almost "blew up" Tuesday.
My take: Don't really know what that means, since both sides are under orders to negotiate and they still appear to be miles from an agreement. Maybe someone ought to contact the Department of Homeland Security.
News item: In the latest potential NCAA improper benefits scandal, Oregon star cornerback Cliff Harris was caught driving 118 mph on a suspended license in a car that was rented by a school employee.
My take: Maybe it's just me, but the fact that this is probably a technical NCAA rules infraction doesn't seem to be the major issue here. The stupidity necessary on all sides of this situation leave you wondering about both the hiring policies and admission standards at the University of Oregon.
News item: Former Ohio State star Terrelle Pryor delivered a 97-second statement Tuesday in which he apologized to Buckeyes fans, coach Jim Tressel and the university for his role in the improper benefits scandal that remains under NCAA investigation.
My take: That rings pretty hollow in the wake of the damage he did to the program and Tressel's once-shining career, but if the Ravens take him in the supplemental draft, I guess all will be forgiven.
News item: University of North Carolina officials recently released documents showing that a group of Tar Heels football players ran up more than $13,000 in campus parking tickets over a 3 1/2-year period.
My take: On the brighter side, UNC has direct evidence that its football players were showing up for class.
Listen to Peter Schmuck on "The Week in Review" on Friday's at noon on WBAL (1090AM) and WBAL.com.