February 9th, 2012
The NHL Winter Classic is the big outdoor game of the year that fans always look forward to, but the 2013 game will hold new surprises for them, and will break records for the NHL.
It was rumor at the 2012 Winter Classic that next year’s game would be held at the “Big House,” otherwise known as Michigan Stadium; and that rumor was confirmed by league commissioner Gary Bettman in a press conference that took place at 10:30ET this morning. It will be the first time any NHL game, Winter Classic or otherwise, has been held in a stadium so big and to match, it’s expected to be the most-watched Winter Classic ever as well. With this kind of event, the NHL expects to beat the attendance record of 68,111 set at the 2011 game, as 115,000 tickets will be sold for the game in 2013. And that’s not all that’s going to be new.
While as always, the minor league cousins of the teams playing in the actual NHL game will play a game of their own, it will be the first time the OHL teams will also participate in the event. As of now the Plymouth Whalers, Saginaw Spirit, Windsor Spitfires, and London Knights are the OHL teams that will be playing that weekend.
So who will the two NHL teams be playing in the biggest outdoor game ever? Well along with rumors of the location, talk was also hot at this year’s event that the teams for next year would be the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. That also makes it the first time a Canadian team will ever play against an American team in the event. While it’s only a matter of official confirmation at this point, it’s pretty much set up to be these two teams playing. Maybe that’s what’s going to be officially announced in the second press conference of the day, which will be held later this afternoon at 1:30ET.
February 6th, 2012
It’s just a few weeks from February 27, 2012, and in the NHL that only means one thing: we’re just a couple of weeks away from seeing the full teams that will be going into the playoffs. Of course that’s trade deadline day, and there’s a whole ton of talk about who’s going where. Here’s a look at the biggest names being thrown around.
Boston – Boston’s an interesting team this trade because they’ve already got lots of talent, and lots of wiggle room in that salary cap of theirs. GM Peter Chiarelli has also added fuel to the fire, saying that he’s looking to add more depth to his entire team. Who would they be looking to add to their team? A few prospects are Hall Gill, Bryan Allen, Brett Clark, Mike Mottau, and possibly Jaroslav Spacek. Who would they give up? Most likely Jared Knight or Jordan Caron.
Chicago – If Chiarelli wants those players to wear a Boston jersey, he’s going to have to hurry as word is that Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman wants many of those same players. Who would he be willing to let go of? That hasn’t really been made public, although Bowman hasn’t been shy about speaking out on the fact that his team needs some improvement and most preferably, in the way of new players.
Edmonton – Most of the talk in Edmonton right now surrounds Ryan Smyth, who’s been the NHL’s ping pong ball for the past several years. Smyth was just sent back to the Oilers last year and the talk really only came after a reporter for the New York Post said something. Smyth has denied any talk of a trade, saying that he’s not eager to move yet again. But while Smyth might not have anything to worry about, the same can’t be said for Ales Hemsky or Andy Sutton, who are both on the chopping block.
Carolina – In Carolina, it’s the defensemen that are likely going to go. Ruutu is one of the hottest topics right now and he’s even said there are rumors that he’s going to every team in the league. But Ottawa’s really interested him so if he goes anywhere it could be there. Jaroslav Spacek and Bryan Allen are also said to possibly not be on Carolina’s roster for much longer.
Ottawa – Ottawa is in a tough spot. Coming off a terrible season last year, they unloaded some of their top talent and drafted young, all with the hopes of rebuilding and maybe having a decent hockey team within the next several years. Now over halfway into the season, they’re fighting for a playoff spot and people have been taking them seriously for months! So, what’s their best move? That’s where it gets tricky. Do they trade away even more talent, for a hope at the Cup run? Or do they play it safe and stick to what they’ve got? Hard to say but it’s safe to say they might be willing to take some risks seeing as how there’s all that Ruutu talk going around.
February 2nd, 2012
Well, despite what Charles Barkley may believe (“I cannot believe how bad the NBA is”), there is still a lot of good game in the NBA today. In fact, we have seen a highly competitive (if slightly off-kilter) season thus far in 2011 and 2012. However, the biggest question on the minds of Mavericks fans is can they do it again?
Actually last season’s win was unexpected as many commentators, experts and even fans predicted they were too weak to take the season. However, they went on to win their first ever NBA Championship in 2011. Now, experts are saying the exact same thing as last year–the Mavericks are looking weak…ish.
Well, it is hard to look that good all season around, especially when compared to teams that are younger than the Mavericks’ roster; teams like Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. Nevertheless, Mavericks fans (and a few sources in the media) are still counting on the Mavericks to be an NBA contender long into the Western Conference Finals and beyond.
One of the reasons the team still has supporters is because they have roster depth and some great offense–something that younger teams have not yet demonstrated. Some of management’s welcome decisions as of late have included Lamar Odom, Vince Carter and Delonte West. They also have seven feet of power in Dirk Nowitzki, who just won the MVP last year.
As it stands on February 1, 2012, the Dallas Mavericks are at the top of the Southwest Division, leading with a win-loss record of 14-8. Their closest competitors are the San Antonio Spurs with 13-9, and the Houston Rockets with 12-9. However, this division domination is relative to the entire NBA. Right now, three teams are ahead of the Mavericks: Oklahoma City Thunder, 16-4, the Los Angeles Clippers (12-6) and the Denver Nuggets who are tied with 14 wins but with only seven losses.
Is it coincidence that the leading teams in the NBA are also the “younger” teams? Is age and energy going to be the deciding factor this season or is it still a question of strong offense? Let’s hear your thoughts…
January 29th, 2012
The year 2011 was certainly a year of close calls (the lock out fiasco), of disappointing defeats (Green Bay), and cruel ironies. (Er, Green Bay!) However, the irony is just beginning. Now in 2012 we are preparing for a Super Bowl rematch from 2008. Just a few years ago, the New York Giants stunned the New England Patriots with a Super Bowl XLII defeat, which humbled the Patriots to a near perfect season.
And now, the New York Giants have caused yet another upset, by kicking Green Bay out of contention (who would have had a near perfect season) and landing in the NFC Championship game. Now, they stand poised to battle New England (who always looks good if not great) yet again, and everyone’s thinking it’s payback for New England who may well have been robbed of their 2008 Super Bowl party. Yes, the Pats are back, as is Tom Brady and the team is dedicating their game to owner Bob Kraft and his late wife Myra.
It is hard to predict this contest, as New York has both the history and the upset factor in its advantage. It already outplayed Green Bay, not to mention the 49ers, and would only be repeating its Super Bowl success if it takes this year’s Super Bowl. On the other hand, New England is arguably the second best team in the league, at least if you compare season scores, not to mention former Super Bowl champions in 2001, 2003 and 2004.
However, recent history might be a tip off as to who is the better quality team. When the Giants last played the Patriots this season, the Giants won 24 to 20 in a “comeback victory.” They also defeated the Patriots in their home arena! So the Giants are certainly not anyone’s sentimental favorite, they having crushed more dreams in the last few years than even Freddy Krueger. The last Super Bowl game they played saw Eli Manning win the MVP and he is definitely back in action for this ultimate contest.
Are the Giants going to earn a reputation as the upset team of the decade or will New England redeem their last Super Bowl loss (and this season’s loss) against their New York underdog rivals? Oh yeah, they’re underdogs for sure, as they have only a 9-7 win-loss record for the season! What do you think?
January 25th, 2012
Mention the word ‘lockout’ to any hockey fan, and they’re likely to stop dead in their tracks. Although it’s been seven years since the 2004-2005 lockout, the thought of that entire lost season is still all too fresh in their minds. But now for the first time since that lockout, the collective bargaining agreement is once again on the table; and it’s already caused disturbances on both sides, which is always going to put fans, league execs, and players’ associations ill at ease.
Even though the current CBA doesn’t officially expire until September 15, 2012, fans were first put on the edge of their seats earlier this month, when the issue of realignment came up. The new plan proposed by the NHL would split the two-conference league up into five separate conferences, forcing teams to travel further distances in shorter amounts of time. When the players’ association fought back, saying that it would place too much strain on players and would not allow for enough rest or practice time. The arguing does not bode well for a contract that’s likely lengthy, and likely has many controversial issues.
You’d hope that both sides have “learned [their] lesson the first and realize there’s a lot more at stake,” as Mark Stuart, player rep for the Boston Bruins said in a recent statement regarding the labor negotiations. But even if some are prepared to give a little more and demand a little less, that may not be the case with everyone — especially league Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Bettman believes that the agreement reached seven years ago, the only that largely favored his side of trade talks, was good for the league. In his own statement Bettman said, “I’m not sure it’s about learning lessons, because the lesson that everybody knows — and it’s not one you have to learn — is that you want to not have work stoppages. But if you’re in a situation as we were where there were fundamental problems that had to be addressed, you have to address the problem. So it’s not that we learned anything. It was that we did what we had to do at the time. If you look back over the last six and a half years, the league is in a stronger position that it was when we started collective bargaining for that agreement.”
That’s not encouraging to fans, as it sounds as though Bettman’s prepared to go ahead with it again, should it be what needs to be done. Official negotiations won’t actually begin until after the All-Star game on Sunday, January 29; but the early disagreements certainly have many fans nervous.
January 21st, 2012
The WWE entertainment company, led by the McMahon family, is notoriously competitive. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s (when its business peaked), the organization never gave any publicity to competing organizations, such as the late WCW organization. However, everything changed in the 2000 era when the WWE became a wrestling monopoly and bought the bankrupt WCW and the smaller ECW organization.
Since that time, only one touring competitor has actively competed against the WWE in the United States and that’s the TNA organization (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling), founded by Jeff and Jerry Jarrett. (Jeff Jarrett is a current wrestler and former WWE superstar) The organization is presided over by an executive team led by President Dixie Carter, and Bruce Prichard (who portrayed the Brother Live character in the 1980s) oddly enough.
Well, history will be made in 2012, as the Four Horsemen from the NWA/WCW past will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The original Four Horsemen consist of Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, and J.J. Dillon. (Yes, that is five names…but this is wrestling logic we’re talking about!) This is the first time the company has inducted a wrestler in a competing organization into its Hall of Fame show.
So the question is, will Ric Flair attend the ceremony, given that he is under contract to TNA and not the WWE? It all depends on TNA, though at this point, it doesn’t seem as if TNA is barring the appearance. Flair already stated in an autograph session in Florida that he will be “on stage” for the induction. It has also been reported that both Vince McMahon and Triple H personally invited Flair to the Hall of Fame show.
Perhaps even more significant is that the WWE is interested in Ric Flair being part of the new WWE Network on cable. So it’s quite possible that Flair and TNA will be parting ways soon. (Unless of course, Flair plans to actively wrestle until he’s 90…and that would surprise no one in the sport)
Other WWE inductees expected for the show include a representative for the late Yokozuna and the recently retired Edge. There’s nothing quite like seeing your favorite WWE and TNA superstars beating each other live and in person!
January 16th, 2012
Quite a few upsets occurred this past week as the NFL divisional championships were decided. But who cares? The biggest news is coming out of Green Bay and it’s bad–very bad. Despite achieving a near perfect 15-1 win-loss record, the team lost a Divisional Round game against the New York Giants in a rather brutal 37-20 defeat.
And now, they’re out! Their season is officially over, and apparently being the best team in the sport means nothing. No, not when the Packers lost one Divisional Game, in their own home field, and against a familiar competitor. Yes, by all logic, Green Bay blew it big time, and it just so happens that everything that was absent throughout the whole season was present during the most significant game. We’re talking missed tackles, missed assignments, turnovers and so on.
Of course, the most cynical of Green Bay fans and experts are having a field day, explaining that gaps in Green Bay’s defense have been apparent all season. In fact, fans were booing the Packers by the halfway point, and that says a lot considering they were playing at home field. It’s hard to fathom what the front offices think of coach Mike McCarthy, as he brought the Packers to an amazing 15-1 season, and yet fumbled the most important game of the year. Of course, one could give credit to the phenomenal Eli Manning who threw three touchdowns, which arguably won the game for the Giants.
And short of defense problems, there’s not much to fault about the Packers in terms of total ability. In fact, the statistics site “Football Outsiders” stated that the Packers were, play for play, the best team in the entire NFL for the year. Nevertheless, the game was hard to watch and Aaron Rodgers and Jermichael Finley hardly lived up to their hype. And though defense may be the key issue here, somehow fans expected the Packers best-of-league offense to redeem the team in the end. That didn’t happen.
However, we do read in the news that offensive coordinator Joe Philbin’s 21-year-old son died a few days earlier, and you have to figure that affected Philbin immensely; he was actually away from the team for most of the week, despite bravely deciding to attend the game. Perhaps the Packers just suffered a case of very bad timing.
There’s always next year…and hopefully next year extra attention will be paid to the all-important Divisional Game!
January 10th, 2012
When Brock Lesnar was active in the WWE he reached unprecedented success. Under the management of Paul Heyman, Lesnar went from a rookie to a WWE champion, clobbering the top stars of the day with just a few trademark moves. He was the WWE’s version of Goldberg, a monster that “squashed” the competition, and perhaps one who achieved far too much too soon.
Just as Goldberg eventually dissipated from the wrestling world, so too did Lesnar. He left the WWE in 2004 after losing his title to Eddie Guerrero and then “jobbing” to Bill Goldberg (ironically). Just as Goldberg left the company, so too did Lesnar, opting to pursue a career in the National Football League (which never happened) and then eventually in the Ultimate Fighting Championship sport. To their credit though, Goldberg and Lesnar did make history–a match in which fans taunted both superstars with negative chants (well knowing they were leaving wrestling) and only cheering when special referee Stone Cold Steve Austin knocked both men out with a “stunner” finishing move at the end of the match.
Now, years after his departure and his less than thrilling UFC career, Lesnar is a free agent. Lesnar announced his UFC retirement (after losing his last match quite pathetically). In fact, some people suspect he threw the match on purpose. His easy defeat even prompted fellow WWE retiree Chris Jericho to remark on Twitter, “Lesnar just took a dive…”
Some more interesting facts about this mystery: Lesnar has been mentioned by various WWE superstars over the last few months and even agreed to work with the McMahon’s for his likeness to appear in a WWE video game. Is this a sign of greater things to come?
Of course, even if Lesnar does eventually return to the WWE it may very well be for a short period of time, or perhaps a part time schedule. Perhaps a Wrestlemania match (which is a one-time big pay off and a few RAW appearances) would be a good deal for both parties. If Lesnar returns who would he face? The locker room leader Triple H (and his Kliq pals), or action hero John Cena, or perhaps even the World’s Strongest Man?
Regardless of what scenario happens, it would be great to see Lesnar back in a WWE ring!
January 9th, 2012
Tim Tebow is setting records and provoking discussion…oh and he can sure play football! He’s also garnered plenty of criticism and controversy for his personality and his “giving praise to god”, so much so that Bill Maher recently had a little fun with him on Twitter — and started a small war with his fans and with politically correct activists.
However, Tebow’s critics are silenced for the time being, as he led his team, the Denver Broncos, to an impressive with over defending AFC Champion, the Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, the Steelers looked something beyond broken, and that’s not just because they were missing a few power players, but because their entire defense was lacking that fateful Sunday (January 9, 2012). And that says a lot, considering their defense was considered by many to be the best in the NFL this year.
The wild card team Denver Broncos defeated the Steelers 29-23, and much of the win was due to Tebow’s performance, as he threw for 316 yards and a touchdown. Umm, is that ironic or what? After all, he was wearing face paint reading the famous “John 3:16.” This prompted many in the media and all over the sports to suggest, perhaps sarcastically but still in awe, that God really did like the Denver Broncos this season.
Tebow threw for 185 yards in just the second quarter, and had five completions in the game (for over 30 yards each). He also became the first quarterback of the season to throw for more than 300 yards against the Steelers defense.
Tebow made a record on field: the highest playoff average in NFL history with 15 yards gained per pass attempt (21). Just to unsettle you Tebow and God doubters out there, Tebow was actually looking pretty bad the last couple of weeks, and so his triumph is the sort of “miracle” Sunday NFL fans will be talking about for a while.
And talk they did, as Tebow almost set a Twitter record, as the service recorded 9,420 tweets per second after Tebow threw an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime. Is Tebow going to be the talk of the NFL this season or next? We may see as soon as next week, as the Broncos go to New England for a divisional-round game against the strong-looking Patriots.
December 28th, 2011
Miami Heat stole a bit of glory from returning NBA champions, the Dallas Mavericks, besting the team 105-94. Miami Heat finished last season 58-24 and placed 1st in the Southeast Division and 2nd in the Eastern Conference. This year, however, they are starting the season with oomph. Not only did they defeat Dallas, they clobbered, them, building a 35-point lead and eventually winning. It’s the first time Miami hasn’t lost to Dallas in a regular season game since 2004!
What’s the secret to their success? LeBron James credited Coach Erik Spoelstra who told them, “‘Get out of your comfort zone.” You mean, Spoelstra suggested that Miami needed some balls? LeBron James suggests the lesson was to exit the comfort zone they had built over the years and “[start] doing things that you may not want to do, but may be for the better for the individual and for the team.”
Of course, this is merely one game and it’s relative to the chaos going on at the NBA, as a result of a late starting season after a prolonged lockout. All of those months of inaction, may well have given Coach Spoelstra time to re-strategize and focus on developing Miami’s offense. Still, these were the same Mavericks who destroyed Miami at last year’s NBA Finals. There should be no false modesty, Miami stole the show and deserves credit for that win, and for becoming a contender again.
Meanwhile, some analysts stated that Dallas simply looked worn out or uninterested in the game, and faulted Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion and Lamar Odom for a poor team effort. The upcoming weeks will show us whether Miami fluked out, or whether they are truly experiencing a comeback, thanks to a strong roster, a well-rested team and an unorthodox coach. They will be taking on the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats to close out December. Unfortunately, the tight scheduling doesn’t allow much in the way of practice, so let’s hope Spoelstra and Miami have their game strategy figured out.
All in all, the NBA season is looking exciting again, though the greats are truly being tested in this abbreviated season.
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