March 12th, 2013
With their winning streak reaching 24 games, and at about halfway through the season, NHL teams needed to come up with new ways – any way – to beat the Chicago Blackhawks. On Sunday night, that’s exactly what the Oilers did; and the win came just in time for them, too.
The Oilers came out strong against Chicago, with Sam Gagner scoring two of their goals in the first period; and Mike Brown scored one just 36 seconds after Gagner’s first goal. Chicago on the other hand, may have still been feeling their loss to the Colorado Avalanche just two nights before they faced Edmonton. Looking somewhat sloppy in the beginning of the game, they didn’t seem nearly as focused or as sharp as the Blackhawks team that we’ve come to know this year.
Things started to take shape in the second period for the Blackhawks, with Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Sheldon Brookbank, and Brent Seabrook all tying in the period. They had five goals on the board, but Edmonton still had six – and the Blackhawks were looking for a huge comeback.
They nearly got it, but Yann Davis did a stellar job goaltending, especially under the intense pressure Chicago applied during the last few minutes. Making 10 saves in the third period, and each one nicer than the last, he clinched the win for his team.
And it was they needed desperately. Edmonton had lost five consecutive games prior to Sunday’s game against Chicago; and six of seven during their current road trip. They’ll wrap it up in Colorado on Tuesday when they play the Avalanche, before heading home to take on the Red Wings on Friday.
March 7th, 2013
The St. John’s Red Storm and Marquette Golden Eagles meet Saturday at Madison Square Garden at 2:00 p.m. This will be one of those classic late-season matchups in college basketball that pits a team eyeing a conference title against a squad trying to fight its way into the NCAA tournament in front of its home crowd.
Marquette still has a real chance at a Big East regular season title, tied for second with Louisville at 12-4 in conference play, a game back of Georgetown. The Golden Eagles visit Rutgers Tuesday and St. John’s Saturday.
St. John’s sits 11th in the conference at 8-8, with an overall record of 16-12, in need of resume-boosting wins to bolster its tournament case, but with those opportunities Tuesday at No. 24 Notre Dame and Saturday against Marquette.
Marquette is led by Vander Blue, a junior guard averaging 14 points per game. Davante Gardner is a massive 6-foot-8, 290-pound junior forward averaging 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest.
St. John’s is led by D’Angelo Harrison’s 17.8 points per game, by will be without him the rest of the season due to a suspension handed down by head coach Steve Lavin. The Johnnies lost to Providence without Harrison Saturday, 62-59 and have lost four of their last five games. Trying to make the big dance without Harrison will likely prove a difficult task.
Jakarr Sampson will have to pick up some of the slack. The freshman forward is averaging 15 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and tied a season-high with 22 points against Providence.
While the Red Storm has been struggling of late, the Golden Eagles come in on fire with wins in four of their last five. That includes wins over then No. 16 Pittsburgh, then No. 8 Syracuse and then No. 21 Notre Dame.
This is the first meeting between Marquette and St. John’s this year and the Golden Eagles cruised to an 83-64 win last year. St. John’s took the only meeting between the two teams in 2010, 80-68.
There are plenty of tickets available for this pivotal Big East game, so buy your tickets now and don’t miss the action.
March 6th, 2013
If there’s any team that’s thankful for this shortened season, it has to be the Chicago Blackhawks. After 22 games, nearly halfway through the season of only 48 games, they still have yet to lose in regulation time. On Sunday, it looked as though the Detroit Red Wings was going to be the team to snap their streak, but once again the Blackhawks made a play that keeps their winning streak now at 22.
Detroit held the lead for much of the game, slight as it was at just 1-0. But with just over two minutes left in regulation, Patrick Kane shot one past Detroit’s goaltender Jimmy Howard to tie the game. As long as they could keep the puck out of their net for another two minutes, they’d extend their streak to yet another game. OT wasn’t enough to decide this game though, and it ended in a shootout; but only after Patrick Kane put another one past Howard — the only goal that was scored during the shootout.
But is Chicago really just that good, or is this a freak lucky streak? Well, last year they played pretty well before getting beat out in the first round of the playoffs by the Phoenix Coyotes. Of course, they weren’t playing quite this well and as any hockey fan knows, playoffs are much different than anything seen in regular season.
After Sunday’s game Jimmy Howard stated that, “they’re finding different ways to do it every night.” And if they can continue to do so, they’ll continue their unprecedented streak and continue to prove that to impress even the most cynical, and prove that they really are just that good.
March 4th, 2013
Stephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president, announced this week that the team wants to keep quarterback Tony Romo and will offer a contract extension. Coach Jason Garrett says that there’s a lot involved in the deal and there are a number of team’s making similar decisions. He also states that they have the opportunity to restructure Romo’s contract and that they believe strongly in the player. It has also been stated that there’s a lot to do with the Cowboy’s personnel wise and some money that will need to be freed up.
According to USA Today Sports, the Cowboys are over the salary cap by $21.3 million. Several players including cornerback Brandon Carr, wide receiver Miles Austin and offensive tackle Doug Free have large contracts and these may need to be restructured to allow for a contract extension with Romo.
Jerry Jones stated that he wants to keep Tony Romo as the quarterback “for the next four to five years.” Romo is now 32 and has been a starter for six years. His first three to four years with the team, he did not play at all. The Cowboys believe that despite his age, he still moves like a younger and spontaneous player. Garrett says that they feel good about him for a long time to come.
Garrett also stated that they aren’t necessarily looking at prepping a new player to be Romo’s eventual replacement. He states that they believe in the quarterback position but that they have other areas on the team they need to focus their resources on.
The Cowboys do have a number of areas to improve upon including pre-snap penalties, Romo’s passer rating and lack of play action, and improving their offense overall.
Stay tuned to GameStub.com for your 2013 season Dallas Cowboy tickets.
February 28th, 2013
It may not be a completely perfect season, but for the Chicago Blackhawks, it’s pretty darn close. Facing off against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night, Chicago’s Corey Crawford got his team a shutout with a 1-0 victory; and extended their winning streak to 18 games. It was Crawford’s first starting since February 12 after sustaining injury. But if this team’s proven anything, it’s that their goalie is just a part of their winning formula; and any in their talented lineup can get the job done.
It wasn’t Crawford’s first game back after his upper body injury; he stepped in on Friday as Ray Emery’s backup when Chicago played San Jose. It was the fourth game Emery had started in Crawford’s place, and his fourth win. But Crawford showed little signs of rust or being out of practice. Even though the only goal put on the board was Andrew Shaw’s in the second period, the Blue Jackets put Crawford to the test, especially in the third when they really came on the attack, trying to finally get a win against the Blackhawks.
But that’s something that hasn’t happened since February 18, 2011. Since then, Chicago has won each of their last nine meetings. Doing it now will prove to be harder than ever, as Columbus sit at the bottom of the league with only 12 points, and the Blackhawks hover around the top with 33. The Blue Jackets will look to snap their losing streak when they take on the Dallas Stars on February 26; while Chicago will look to get even more points when they play the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
February 25th, 2013
Get ready to rock Pryor, Oklahoma! Located outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma, some of the hottest hard rock bans from the past few decades will appear for the Rocklahoma Music Festival for a rock filled 3-day event.
For many, it will be the bands from the 80s and 90s that will pull your attention the most. Guns N’ Roses will be headlining the event and other bands on the bill include Alice in Chains, Bush, and Korn. Executive Producer of Rocklahoma Joe Kitvag says “We’ve waited seven years, and we’re finally bring the No. 1 most requested bacnd by the fans to Rocklahoma, the one and only Guns N’Roses!”
Those looking to relive their 80s hair band days, Cheap Trick and Ratt are on the bill as well.
Other popular hard rock performances will include:
* Bullet for My Valentine
* Papa Roach
* Skillet
* Hollywood Undead
* Steel Panther
* Asking Alexandra
* Halestorm, Device (with David Draiman)
* Big Wreck
* Clutch
* Motionless in White
* Thousand Foot Krutch
* Red Line Chemistry
* Otherwise
* The Sword, Young Guns
* Mindset Evolution
* We As Human
* Heaven’s Basement
* American Fangs
* O’Brother
* Dokken
* And many more.
According to a news release, Bush’s Gavin Rossdale stated “Bush is thrilled to be play Rocklahoma with such great bands.” This will be a musical event not to be missed, especially if you’re a hard rock fan.
This will be the fourth year for the event. Previous events included bands such as Poison, Motley Crue, ZZ Top, Three Days Grace, Tesla, and more. The event will take place May 24-26th and you can find your 3-day event passes on GameStub.com. A variety of general admission packages will be available as well including VIP packages and backstage passes.
For those looking to soak up all three days rock, camping tickets are available as well. They may be purchased directly on GameStub.com. The campgrounds will be open May 19-28th.
February 21st, 2013
If you’re a fan of the NBA today, the chances are good that you have Jerry Buss to thank for it. It was this legend that took the NBA from being a second-rated sport in America, to the huge prime time entertainment that it was today. He did it with his smart head for business, and his keen sense for what the world wanted, and how to provide it. Sadly, on Monday the world lost him after he died of kidney failure at the age of 80.
“Jerry Buss was more than just an owner,” said Pat Riley, who acted as the coach behind four of Buss’ 10 championship teams. “He was one of the great innovators that any sport has ever encountered. He was a true visionary, and it was obvious with the Lakers in the 80s that ‘Showtime’ was more than just Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It was really the vision of a man who saw something that connected with a community.”
Jerry Buss bought the LA Lakers in 1979, and he’s the driving force behind the powerhouse the team has become today. Not only was he responsible for getting both Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar on the team, but also some of today’s most notable names including Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard. It was under Buss that the Lakers made the NBA finals 16 times, and won 10 in three decades. There aren’t many owners in all of professional sports, let alone just basketball, that have seen the same kind of success. There are also very few that consider their teams their family, which is just what Buss did.
The loss, while sad, didn’t come as a huge shock to the sports community. Buss had been in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for the past 18 months battling cancer, and many current and former members of the team had already visited him to say their final good-byes.
The ownership of the Lakers is now in a trust held by all six of his children. The organization will now largely be run by two of those children — Jim and Jeanie Buss.
February 12th, 2013
The Clippers and the Knicks are duking it out for the title of divisional leader, while the Denver Nuggets are enjoying their biggest winning streak since 2005, winning a total of nine consecutive games. But when it comes to the big NBA updates, one of the biggest stories actually has nothing to do with any particular team or player. Instead, it’s Commissioner David Stern that’s making headlines, as he’s talking about instating human growth hormone testing as early as next year.
The news shouldn’t really be that much of a surprise. Doping has plagued many sports with baseball being one of the first sports to show just how out of hand it can get. That was followed of course by the Lance Armstrong scandal; and just before the Super Bowl, rumors swirled that Ray Lewis was also guilty of the same thing. While the NBA hasn’t seen any really big problems with HGH or any other type of doping, Stern obviously wants to take preventative action that will keep it from ever marring the sport’s good name. And he wants to start that preventative action soon.
Stern stated during a radio interview earlier this month, “We watch what’s been going on in baseball, we watch the negotiations that are going on with football, and it is my expectation that by next season we will be doing blood testing for HGH. Our players lead this in some ways, saying, ‘We do not want to have anything less than the best.'”
That might be true, but no one will really know until the players’ association union gets involved. While this is obviously meant to protect players, by keeping things fair for those not using, and to keep players healthy by preventing them from using, the union will most likely put up a fight. That will be especially true if they feel as though their players are being tested too strenuously, or if they are not being consulted about the testing.
What do you think? Will the NBA instate HGH testing next year? What will be the union’s reaction?
February 7th, 2013
The Pittsburgh Penguins are enjoying having a healthy lineup once again, with Sidney Crosby helping them all the way to the top spot in the Eastern conference. And while they’re 14 points are impressive, they’re still not as good as Chicago’s 18 points. In fact the Blackhawks have only lost two games, and both have ended in a shootout.
But the season has only been on for just over two weeks, and there is still lots of hockey to be played. Meanwhile, the NHLPA is currently facing more drama with rumors swirling that the NBA is courting union head Donald Fehr.
Fehr was of course, most instrumental during the very recent lockout, when he negotiated a far better deal for the NHL players than what was originally on the table. The players, prior to that negotiation, had pulled Fehr out of retirement to come represent them, after he had done such a great job with the MLB strike in 1994-1995. Now, could Fehr be striving for triple threat status, as rumors swirl saying the NBA wants him?
The NBPA’s current executive director, Billy Hunter, has been put on an indefinite leave of absence; and it’s likely that the NBA agents are interested in finding a new union head. And the reports from CBSSports.com that they’re interested in Fehr wouldn’t be that surprising, as he “would be formidable,” as one NBA agent put it. The only question that remained was, would Fehr want the job?
It seemed as though he may have been mulling it over, as Fehr had no comment on the story at first. However, just recently a source stated, “Don is very happy in his current role and has absolutely no plans to leave the NHLPA.”
But that is after all, an unnamed source with no verification whatsoever. Do you think Fehr would leave the NHLPA to move to the NBPA? Do you think he wants to jump back into another high-drama situation now that the NHL CBA will stand for the next 8 — 10 years?
February 4th, 2013
The Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl on Sunday, and it might have been one of the most emotional wins in Super Bowl history. It was very fitting, considering that the emotional season the Ravens had up to that point was one of the main talks leading up to the game. An emotional season it was, right up to the end of the game when one coach actually said to another on an NFL field, “I love you.”
Not only did he say it on a very manly NFL field, but he said it with a string of reporters on all sides. Those reporters were waiting to see the first few minutes of fall-out when one brother’s biggest moment of his career comes at the expense of his own brother. What they saw, and captured on film, was brief. Jim Harbaugh, coach of the 49ers, shook his brother’s hand and congratulated him. John Harbaugh, winning coach of the Ravens, shook back, said a quick “I love you,” along with a “good job.”
That was it. Jim was off to console his players and tell them what a great comeback they nearly made; and John was off to celebrate with his Ravens. But on Monday, John sat down with Savannah Guthrie and Willie Geist on the Today show and gave more insight into this biggest brotherly battle in recent history.
“I’m just so proud of him,” said John. “I think he’s the best coach in football. What he’s accomplished the last two years with the San Francisco 49ers, what their team has accomplished and their coaches, is unparalleled. I just couldn’t be prouder of him.”
He also touched on the blackout, and the boost that seemed to give his brother’s team.
“They did a great job,” he said. “They changed momentum, they swung it. It really wasn’t the lights or the power outage of anything like that. It was the 49ers. Not unexpected, going against my brother all these years — you had the feeling he would come roaring back. That’s a great football team, and I’m proud of Jim and very impressed with that team.”
When asked though, if the two Harbaugh brothers would ever sit down to watch the game together, he came back with another brotherly answer, saying, “Absolutely not.”
|
|
