red bulls nba team

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Luongo Limericks

Luongo may or may not be laughing here. Limericks will do that.

Four days after Pass it to Bulis suggested it on twitter, we've seen a disgusting lack of Luongo limericks. I guess I'll have to get us started.

Even with man-advantage of two
The Kings were unsure what to do
To pass or to shoot?
The question is moot.
Either way, blocker save: Bobby Lu.

The latest “Quiz” on TSN
Got Luongo laughing again.
“The question’s not, ‘Do
They trade Bobby Lu?’
You trade Schnieds. The question is ‘when?’”

He’s being the best he can be
Robbing shooters with sadistic glee
He’s seeing the puck
And having some luck
“But it must be cause he lost the C.”

How could the Nucks be so clueless?
What could have possessed them to do this?
Lu was coming off a year
To top all his career
And yet they part with the reason: Jan Bulis

Pictures and Videos from Lake Placid

Yesterday I made the trip to Lake Placid with four of my closest friends in a pickup truck.   It was extremely tight, but lots of fun. We were five of probably 10 Union students at the game, which is pretty disappointing, but we had a great time just being there. This was my first time watching the Dutchmen as a fan this season and had a memorable time.

It was pretty cool being at in Lake Placid, and the whole time I was there I couldn't stop thinking about how cool it would be to have the ECAC Final Four there. It must have been awesome when the tournament was there. The town just feels like hockey.

The crowd for the Union-RPI game wasn't that big, especially compared to the St. Lawrence-Clarkson game. But, there was still a good atmosphere and the Union fans were loud. I still think we need to get a legitimate pep band.

I also had the amazing opportunity to go up into the press box where Al Michaels called "The Miracle on Ice." It was probably the coolest moment in my time in sports media. That press box is the most famous press box in the history of sports... at least to me.

Here are some pics and vids from a great day:

Kevin Sullivan, Wayne Simpson, and Mike Ingoldsby
The center ice logo from the press box

The Dutchmen waiting to get introduced

Where Al Michaels was during the Miracle on Ice

Our seats

The final score. I didn't realize that UNC was playing haha

Outside the rink at night
The Five Guys: Scott Zurawel, Kyle Anderson, John Russell, Me, and Brendan Lichtenthal
Souvenirs from the game: Ticket, Press Pass, Program











Union ties RPI at Lake Placid


Greg Coburn had a goal and assist against RPI
Another Union-RPI game, another wild game.

Once the game ended I was unsure on whether to be happy or disappointed in the tie. On one
hand the Dutchmen tied the game with 30 seconds left in regulation thanks to Mat Bodie, but on the other hand they let up a two goal lead and allowed RPI to take the lead in the third period. I guess a tie is better than a loss.

Union's inability to play a full 60 minutes has become a problem. In three of their games this season the Dutchmen have relinquished a three goal lead, and yesterday they let up an early two goal lead. If this becomes a continuous theme this season Union will not have a successful season and will not go far in the playoffs. The great teams play their best in the latter parts of the game. As my old hockey coach used to say, "Win the third period, win the game."

Overall, I didn't think Union played a great game. Even when they were up 2-0 I felt they weren't on top of their game. Luckily, their power-play is still going strong. Ironically, I thought Mat Bodie had an awful two games, but he made up for it with his goal. Also, Keith Kinkaid had a good game in goal despite allowing three goals.

These two ties in two ties are not exactly the way the Dutchmen wanted to head into ECAC play, but it's not that bad. There is no shame in tying an RPI team that is very good and is the 20th ranked team in the nation.

For more on the game go to:
Times Union.com

PITB Gets Mentioned on After Hours, is Incredibly Famous



Here's a little weekend amusement for you. At 3:42 of the above clip, Scott Oake asks Brendan Morrison a question, but it's not just any question. It's our question, tweeted to Oake earlier in the day. It's kind of neat. Oake leads into already smiling, confident that it will "lighten the mood" (previous questions were about despair, existentialism and why god has forsaken man). Then, not only do they say our full name on-air (take heed, Jeff Klein), they take a moment to chuckle at it. They are undeniably amused. I'm fairly sure what B-Mo mumbles there is "that's pretty good." Yes. It is pretty good.

Now, I don't mean to get ahead of ourselves, but Skeeter, I think, now that we're a pretty big deal (at least as big as Tim from Bellevue), we should quit our dayjobs. This week alone, we've landed twice on Puck Daddy (here and here), once on the New York Times, and finally, in our coup de grace, Hockey Night in Canada. Yes sir, the PITBul is running rampant in the media (btw, first time using that nickname, and I agree it doesn't work). I'm just saying, we've earned the right to be unemployed, at least.

Also: does anyone object to us calling this our first interview? We're going to call this our first interview. If anyone asks, we just interviewed Brendan Morrison.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Hi, I'm a Tea-Partier

Connolly Goal Caps BU Comeback

In the closest most hard fought game of the season, BU was able to come back and beat what seemed to be a much better Lowell team the a night before.
BU celebrates after Chriss Connollys game winning goal
(Photo by Matt Dresens)
It was slow goings in the early stages of the game, as the scoring chances came few and far between. Many shots were blocked and the goalies stop any shots that did make it to the goal. BU netminder, Grant  Rollheiser made 24 saves in his second start of the year.

Max Nicastro was called for a 5 minute major for hitting from behind little less then 6:30 into the game. BU was able to kill of the penalty off, plus Lowell was called for to many men on the ice with about a minute and a half left on their power play.

Throughout the the first and second period the teams could not get on the board. There were many reasons why BU was not able to score. One was (at least is seamed) that every pass was just a little behind the intended receiver or a little too far in front. Also, the Terrier did not shoot enough and any shot that got to goalie Doug Carr was an easy save. 

Finally in the third Lowell, who had been out playing BU, got on the board. Joesph Pendenza took a pass from Joe Caveney at the top of the crease. With a one time wrist shot he beat beat Rolleiser who had no time to react.

BU broke the ice with an extra attacker on because of a delayed Lowell penalty. In a huge scrum infront of the goal, Alex Chiasson was able to some how (a) find the puck and then (b) put it in the back of the net.

After the goal BU had all the momentum. With less then a minute to go, David Warsofsky made a mad rush up the boards. He then fed Chris Connolly at the bottom of the slot who some how squeeked the puck between Carr's legs and in.

It’s kind of a risky play because if ‘Conno’ misses the pass, they’re going the other way,” Warsofsky said. “I saw him out of the corner of my eye and luckily the pass got through; there were a lot of sticks there.”-USCHO

BU was able to hold on after Lowell pulled their goalie and win 2-0 in front of 4829 at Agganis Arena.

The Terriers will take on Maine next Saturday at Agganis. This will be the team's first real teast of the year.

Game Photos
Box Score

Saginaw adds OA Sisca from Guelph

The Saginaw Spirit added a top-flight scorer in Matthew Sisca to their offensive corps this weekend, sending a third round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection via trade to the Guelph Storm.

The 1990-born Woodbridge, Ont., native put up 65 points (35 goals and 30 assists) with the Storm last season. Sisca is scheduled to join the Spirit Saturday night when the team arrives in London for their game against the Knights, although his participation in the contest will be a game-time decision.

Sisca is a four-year veteran of the league, having a combined 62 goals and 72 assists for 134 points in 192 regular season games. He played two seasons with the Niagara IceDogs from 2007-2009 before going to Guelph last year.

Photo courtesy CHL Images

Terriers Topple Riverhawks

Last night BU stayed undefeated by crushing Lowell 5-1 at Tsongas Center. Kieran Millan once again played up to his high standards as he nearly missed recording his first shutout of the year.
Millan stops 1 of 27 Lowell shots, this one coming in the
second period.
(Photo by Matt Dresens) 
During a Lowell power play in the first, BU took the lead. David Warsofsky picked up a loose puck in the BU zone. He was then able to create space with his speed and find Alex Chiasson with a backhand pass on a two on one. Chassion took the pass and shot it all in one motion beating Lowelll goalie Marc Boulanger, who had no chance at stopping it. This was the team's first short handed goal of the season.

BU received excellent goaltending throughout  the game, but especially in the first. Lowell did out play the Terriers for the first few minutes of the game. Millan had to make some big saves to keep it 0-0 and maintain the lead.

In the second BU's offence exploded, scoring a season high four goals in one period.

Chris Connolly was able to tip Ryan Santana's shot past  Boulanger. The goal came less then two minutes into the period.

Not long after the Connolly goal, Corey Trivino picked up a loose puck by the side of the net. Like only he can, Corey seemed to take his sweet time to put it over the goal line.

Less than a minute later Sahir Gill found Charlie Coyle on a two on one. Coyle roofed his shot into the top corner over  Boulanger glove.

Gill would grab the second short handed goal of the contest on a break-a-way. He pulled his forehand backhand move on  Boulanger, and slid the puck between his legs. Gill pulled the same move on UMass goalie, Jeff Teglia one week ago.

At the end of the second BU lead 5-0.

Lowell's lone goal came from Joe Caveney in a scrum in front of the BU net.

This was BU's first win by more then one goal. The two teams will face off again tonight at Agganis Arena.

Game Photos
Box Score

Spirit to honor veterans with tribute

The Saginaw Spirit will host a special celebration on Saturday, November 6, when the team will recognize U.S. military veterans as part of a Veterans Day celebration.

The highlight of the event will take place prior to the Spirit game at 5:30 p.m., when local police and firefighters will hit the ice in the annual Guns-n-Hoses charity hockey game, with the proceeds going to benefit the Department of Veteran Affairs and their Aid to Needy Vets fund.

Special charity-priced tickets are available at the Saginaw Spirit store - $10.00 for an upper level ticket with $2.50 from each ticket going to support the Aid to Needy Vets fund.

Military veterans and their families can show their military I.D. at the Spirit store to receive a special $6.50 upper level ticket when they purchase at the Spirit Store from now until Friday, November 5.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Famous Atheists: Galileo Galilei

Quotes Taken Out of Context: Halloween Edition

Braydon Coburn licks his lips in hunger.
"It's time to start munching down on the real flesh."
-Braydon Coburn, October 29, 2010

A Weekend With the Riverhawks

This weekend BU will try and match the 2002 season start at 6-0-1, the best start of the century. Tonight BU will play at the Tsongas Arena, home of the Lowell Riverhawks. The next night the two teams will square of at Agganis on the back end of the Terrier's first home and home series of the year.

This season Lowell is 1-2-2. Their only win comes in overtime against Providence. They managed ties verses Niagara and RIT. They got waxed by Maine in the first weekend of the season, 8-2 and last Saturday lost to Northeastern 3-1.

Don't let their record fool you. The Riverhawks are a dangerous team and know how to play BU very well. This weekend will be hard fought, but I think BU should manage at least three points.

Millan gets the start in net tonight, while Rollie will see his first action since the Icebreaker on Saturday.

I will be attending both games so there will be game photos from both games.

What To Watch For... 
  • Maury Edwards, Lowell defenseman. Edwards is the back bone of the the Lowell defensive corp. He is, and if he's not he should be, in the discussion as one of the best defenseman in the league. He scores goals and is also very solid on the blueline position. As a senior, Edwards will wear the "A" as the assistant Captain of the Riverhawks. BU must keep Edwards at bay this weekend to have success.
  •   Scott Campbell, Lowell forward. Campbell is the Lowell's most productive forward. In his career with the Riverhawks  he has scoreed 39 goals, including 2 this season. The Terriers need to keep an eye on him, especially on the power play.
  • The Tsongas Arena boards. The board at Tsongas are like trampolines. If you haven't got it yet they are very lively and Lowell knows how to use them to their advantage. Last season I saw Lowell intentionally shooting the puck wide so they could get the bounce from the boards. They did score on  this against the Terriers last season.
The Last Time They Met...
Was February 5th. BU won 3-2, thanks two short handed goals, one from David Warsofsky and the other from Zach Cohen.

Helping out the CBC: Top 10 NHL vs. TV Moments

I happened upon this fantastic list of NHL vs. TV moments on the CBC website via the wonderful Houses of the Hockey blog from the Score. The title of the list is somewhat inaccurate, seeing as it also contains an NHL vs. film moment in Cam Neely's cameo in "Dumb and Dumber," but since that exception is Cam Neely's cameo in "Dumb and Dumber," I am full of forgiveness.

What I can't forgive is a list about TV on the internet that features no videos. House of the Hockey already pointed out this egregious error and being the gregarious sort that I am, I decided to help out the CBC by doing the legwork they didn't do and tracking down a video for each of their top 10. My success rate is poor.

10. Stanley Cup vs. Guiding Light

What in the world? This is quite possibly the oddest thing I have ever seen.


9. Scotiabank Place vs. 30 Rock
Only the second entry on the list and my search has already come up dry. NBC cares a lot about their controlling their copyrighted material, what can I say? Here's a picture of the nifty moment when Danny sings his Juno-nominated psych-up song for the Ottawa Senators. Just imagine it in your minds and I'm sure it will be hilarious.


8. L.A. Kings vs. Price is Right

Pretty funny. Too bad it's the Drew Carey edition of the Price is Right. The Kings showed up again in the Showcase Showdown.



7. Don Cherry vs. Rick Mercer

Does this even count? This seems almost like nepotism: the CBC website highlighting an appearance of a CBC television personality on a CBC television show. Pretty sketchy, CBC.


6. Vancouver Canucks vs. How I Met Your Mother
Sadly, embedding of this hilarious clip of Robin reenacting the '94 Canucks run to the Stanley Cup Finals has been disabled. On a positive note, clicking on links is really, really easy. And this video of the awesome Mason Raymond namedrop is totally embeddable:



5. New York Rangers vs. David Letterman (vs. Madonna)

Apparently Marc Staal thinks Gordie Howe has a nice looking butt. This won't be the first time Gordie Howe's good looks will show up in this list. What do you know, it's the very next item.


4. Gordie Howe vs. The Simpsons
It is incredibly easy to find episodes of The Simpsons online for free. Finding them legally is another issue altogether. We here at PitB won't espouse the use of illegal methods of viewing television episodes that circumvent copyright laws both because we like to keep a squeaky-clean image and we trust that you can use Google. In lieu of linking to one of the many, many websites that provide Simpsons episodes for free online, here's an odd backwards and Spanish version of the episode "Bart the Lover" from YouTube. Gordie Howe pops up at 13:21 and again in part two. Biggest oddity: everyone is suddenly left-handed.



3. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Conan O'Brien

Number One on this Sportscentre Top 10 list. Since NBC are a bunch of knobs, they consistently remove their content from YouTube. Conan's bit starts at 3:54.


2. Wayne Gretzky vs. Mike Myers
Number 7 on the same Sportscentre Top 10 list as above. Same complaint about NBC as above as well. Gretzky's appearance on Wayne's World comes at 1:50. Bonus appearance by Wayne on SNL at 3:26 of the same video.


1. Cam Neely vs. Dumb and Dumber



Union takes on RPI in Halloween Face-Off

A tie with UConn is not the way the Dutchmen wanted to head into the Halloween Face-Off with arch rival RPI. After romping all over Atlantic Hockey teams at Messa Rink, Union just stopped playing hockey for the final 20 or so minutes of the game. Now they have to respond with a win over RPI before ECAC play opens up next weekend at Harvard and Dartmouth.

The Engineers have got off to a pretty good start this season with a 3-1-2 record. Their ties have come against Colorado College and Northeastern (both tough opponents) on the road. The three wins came at home against Bentley (3-0), RIT (4-1) and Niagara (4-3 OT). The CC Tigers handed them their only loss.

All four of the Union-RPI games last season were absolute classics! Three of the games were decided by one goal, two were decided in overtime, and the other was a 3-1 Union victory where Luke Cain scored a diving, empty-net goal. The Dutchmen held the advantage in the season series last year going 3-1-0.

The December 5th game is one of the greatest games I have ever seen in person. It was during winter break, but my dad, my younger brothers took the two and a half hour trek up to Troy. AND IT WAS SO WORTH IT! Union's comeback led by Mario-Valery Trabucco and Jason Walters was awesome, along with Mike Schreiber's game-winner. Hopefully, the Dutchmen can beat the Engineers without these guys.

Here are some links from those games:
October 30 at Messa Rink - RPI 4, Union 3 (OT)
November 28 at Houston Field House - Union 5, RPI 4 (OT)
December 5 at Houston Field House - Union 5, RPI 4
January 16 at Messa Rink - Union 3, RPI 1

Players To Watch For RPI:

Chase Polacek: was named ECAC Player of the Year and All-American last season. Polacek is tied for team lead with three goals, four assists, seven points, and two power-play goals this season. Led the team with 26 goals and 52 points (tops in the ECAC and tied for sixth in the nation). He is extremely fast and will be dangerous on the Olympic ice sheet in Lake Placid.

Tyler Helfrich: has got off to a very hot start matching Polacek in goals, assists, and points. He has digressed the past few seasons, but his senior year could be his best season yet.

Brock Higgs: the freshman has started his collegiate career on the right foot scoring three goals, two of which were game-winners.

Allen York: heading into the game York is fifth in the nation with a 1.61 GAA and fourth in the country with a .943 save percentage. Also, he has played the most minutes in all of college hockey so far this season (370:38). York was also named preseaon First Team All-ECAC over Keith Kinkaid.

Players To Watch For Union:

Matt Hatch: look out for his speed on the big ice surface if he dresses... I think he will.

Mat Bodie: had an awful game against UConn. Let's see how he responds against a better opponent.

John and Wayne Simpson: both are extremely fast and should take advantage of the wide ice sheet. I think their line should counter Polacek's line because they can keep up with him.

Adam Presizniuk: last season stars like Mario Valery-Trabucco and Jason Walters came up big for the Dutchmen in the games against RPI. Let's see if Prez can do the same.

Prediction: I'm going to go with a 4-3 Union victory... yeah, yeah call me a homer but that's what I think. The Dutchmen need to make a statement before league play begins and the offense should step up their game. The two teams also have two common opponents, RIT and Niagara, both of which they have beaten. But, while the Engineers have outscored these opponents 8-4, the Dutchmen have outscored them 13-3.

Here are some highlights from the games last season:




Muskegon radio show set for Monday

A pair of Muskegon Lumberjacks forwards will make their debut on Monday night’s weekly radio show, “Breaking Out the Lumberjacks.”

For Lance Fredrickson, who is from and still lives in Spring Lake, it will be his second debut in three days. He’ll appear in front of numerous family members and friends at the L.C. Walker Arena Saturday night when the Jacks host the Waterloo Black Hawks and wrap up a three-game homestand on Pink the Rink Night.

All the players’ pink jerseys will be auctioned off following the game. Commemorative pink T-shirts will be sold for $5 apiece and all the money made on the shirts and the jersey auction will be donated to the Johnson Family Center for Cancer Care.

Isaac Kohls has scored a short-handed goal in both of the Jacks’ last two games and could feasibly make it three in a row tonight when Muskegon hosts the Des Moines Buccaneers. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. and the arena doors open at 6:15 for both games this weekend. Children are encouraged to take part in trick or treating at the main concession stands during pregame tonight, as it will be Ghoulwill Night. Fans who donate gently used clothing or household items to Goodwill representatives at the arena will receive a $4 off voucher for a ticket to the Jacks’ home game on Saturday, Nov. 27, also against Des Moines.

The Monday night radio show airs on 97.5 FM The Champ from 6-7 p.m. Each week’s show is re-broadcast from 9-10 a.m. the following Saturday morning. As always, the show will be hosted by the voice of the Jacks, Christopher Heimerman, and will feature an appearance by Lumberjacks head coach Kevin Patrick. There will be giveaways and the floor will be opened for fans to ask questions of all the guests.

Weird Sports, Vol 4: Shin Kicking

Pictured above: dumb people exercising their dumbness. Shin kicking is dumb.

Weird Sports is a semiregular feature I write for the Rec Services blog at Trinity Western University as a favour to a good friend of mine. It will appear on PITB on Thursdays (ish). Let us take a break from our Canuckness and appreciate that Canadians are a hockey-loving people, and not the sort that love dumb sports like this one.

In case I haven’t been clear as to how these weird sports are undeniable evidence that humanity is riding a bullet train straight into a river of pure, liquid stupidity, consider the unique sport of shin kicking. Yes, shin kicking is a very real organized sport in which two opponents square off, grasp shoulders, and then violently kick, or “clog” each other’s shins. I’m not kidding you. That’s all this is.

How do you win a shin kicking match? It’s quite simple. You kick an opponent so hard in the shins that he becomes unable to stand. Then you push him over. Now I’m no pacifist, and I enjoy a good fight (preferably of the hockey variety) as much as the next bloodthirsty psycho, but shin kicking seems, to me, to be unpleasant for all involved parties. Have you ever so much as hit your shin on a coffee table? It is the worst thing in the world. There is no greater pain, save perhaps when a cat bites the flap of skin between the thumb and the forefinger. My innate protectiveness of the shins is a large part of why I don’t play soccer (also a weird sport). Apparently, you’re allowed to wear thick socks–even stuff them with straw–if you’re a tad apprehensive about the idea of having your shins bashed in by someone’s shoe. Not that this helps–contestants are jerks, so they wear heavy boots, though you’ll be pleased to know that steel-toed boots were banned in the 1950s (before which time broken legs were commonplace).

But here’s the incredible thing: shin kicking was invented in 1636, which means it took a very long time for somebody to suggest that steel-toed boots took the fun out of it. Since steel-toed boots were invented around 1899, that means half a century went by before somebody went, “People probably don’t like it when somebody kicks them in the shins with a steel-toed boot FOR SPORT.” I personally feel this realization was unnecessarily delayed.

Yes, shin-kicking, or “Hacking”, as it is often called by those in the know, was invented in the 1630s in England. For some reason, it was often done in the nude. Tales of “hobnailed” or “clogged” competitors gushing blood were commonplace, and the sport was popular among the working class. Unsurprisingly, it was not popular among Puritans, the lovable, America-founding stick-in-the-muds who, as we all know, were against all pointless frivolity (except for witch-hunting).

In this case, they probably had a point. I think we can all agree that the good lord did not design our shins to be “clogged.”

One thing I often wonder about is how somebody trains for a weird sport like this. When it comes to shin kicking, it’s actually quite simple: contestants harden their shins by hitting them with coal hammers. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? What possesses a man to sit down in his spare time and hit his shins with a coal hammer? Why, the love of sport, and unfortunately, a lot of people love shin kicking. How many? Too many. More than enough to host a World Shin Kicking Championships, a popular annual event in Gloucester, in the southwest region of England. I imagine that's a gathering of unfiltered stupidity not unlike the locker room of a certain Alberta-based hockey team. Just sayin'.

Has anybody ever been to a shin kicking competition? Is it even half as stupid as it sounds? Because, to me, it sounds twice as stupid as it sounds. Let me know in the comments.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Union disappoints in a tie with UConn

Troy Grosenick made his first career start
Well, that was awful. That's all I can really say. What a terrible way to go into Lake Placid and ECAC play. I really believed the team wouldn't take UConn lightly and over look them, but it seems like they did. In the post-game press conference Coach Leaman said the team was complacent in the past few practices, which is very disappointing. I thought the leadership on this team was better than that. This was the third time in seven games that the Dutchmen relinquished a three goal lead. The other two times they were able to pull out a win, but couldn't find the game-winning goal tonight.

More importantly, this game is REALLY going to hurt Union in the PairWise Rankings (PWR), which decides who makes the NCAA tournament. Last season, Union's bid to the tournament was basically decided with the overtime loss at home against Sacred Heart and the heart-breaking tie with Yale. Hopefully, this game doesn't come back to bite Union in the butt. Also, is it just me or do the Dutchmen have an awful time with teams from Connecticut?

Freshman Troy Grosenick made his first career start tonight and did pretty well. Even though he played fine, I doubt he'll receive playing time anytime soon. Coach Leaman will probably go with Keith Kinkaid for every game from now on since this tie with the Huskies makes the upcoming games even more important. Here's what Leaman had to say about Grosenick: "I though we left him out to dry. He put in a solid effort."

For more on the game go to:
USCHO
Ken Schott's Blog
Union Athletics.com

Here are some videos from the game featuring Troy Grosenick and Jeremy Welsh:





10.28.10

Pics and Vids from warmups vs. UConn

Troy Grosenick prepares for his first start
The captains talk to the refs

Greg Coburn

Josh Jooris


Mat Bodie
UConn goalies warm up
Wayne Simpson



Tonight's Lineups vs. UConn (10/28/10)

Junior Brian Yanovitch
Here are some game notes courtesy of Union Athletics.com.

Union:

Presizniuk- Zajac- Boileau
K. Bodie- Buote- Cain
Yanovitch- J. Simpson- W. Simpson
Carr- Welsh- Jooris

M. Bodie-Matheson (C)
Forgaard- Julseth-White
Coburn- Stuart

Grosenick
Kinkaid
Milan

Observations: Freshman goaltender Troy Grosenick makes his first collegiate start... Junior Brian Yanovitch makes his first appearance of the season... Freshman Matt Hatch is not in the lineup after scoring two goals and an assist last game, but I expect to see him in uniform on Friday at Lake Placid.
Captain Andrew Olson

UConn:

Schneider- Ambrosie- Winter
Olson (C)- Hernandez- Krispel (C)
Gallagher- Sims- Encarnaco
Carriere- Sapiehr (C)- Harris

Gerke- Scott
Waterstradt- Miller
Reagan- Cooper

Bartus
Grogan
Behling

Observations: The second line is an all-senior line... The first and third lines have no upperclassmen... There are two sophomores, two juniors, and two seniors on defense... The Huskies have very easy last names to pronounce (for the most part, haha).

'Dogs, Pack to remain in WAC thru 2012 season

Fresno State and Nevada will participate in Western Athletic Conference softball for this season and next, according to a settlement reached between the schools and the league.The WAC announced this morning that both the Bulldogs and Wolf Pack will remain in the conference in all sports for one additional season after the current school year ends. Fresno State and Nevada will officially be WAC

The Atlanta Thrashers and Black Players: A Follow-Up

This photo is here because its colours incidentally match our header--not because Johnny Oduya is in it.


A month ago, I wrote an article discussing the Atlanta Thrashers' acquisition of black players over the past year and a half. I argued that, not only had they built a roster with the largest percentage of black players in the NHL, but they had done so intentionally, with marketing in mind. Needless to say, it was a contentious thesis, and I got some heat.

I expected heat. Race is a topic that makes people oversensitive, accusatory, defensive, unreasonable, and blind, among other adjectives. Many people don't engage it near enough to talk about it reasonably. For example: people don't understand that perfect equality is a little harder to accomplish when one group is trying to claw its way up from years of oppression and the other is reluctantly ceding ground when it wants to. People don't realize that active, blatant racism--segregation, racial epithets, full-on hatred--is still very much alive in some parts of North America, because they don't live there. Some people don't even understand how the racial lines are drawn. Commenters told me the Thrashers' black players aren't even black--they're half-black. "Unfortunately, they have white moms," one said. Please. Good luck telling that to the doorman at a segregated nightclub. I'm only half-black. Why can't I go halfway in?

Furthermore, far too many conversations about race end with one person being labeled a racist. People are so afraid of this dangerous accusation that they avoid the subject altogether. Previous attempts to point out the Thrashers' strategy fizzled in silly accusations of racism simply for noticing, because that's unfortunately how racism works now. Color blindness is the recommended policy, and while it's not a good one (ignorance is never the cure), those who don't adhere to it are often run out of town for seemingly adhering to its presumed opposite: super duper racism to the max. It's a false dichotomy. Is it really so difficult to notice, and then not hate?

Apparently, yes. As such, race is a thorny issue. The Thrashers' story is fascinating and engaging, but it's difficult to discuss without using conversation-ending buzzwords like "exploit," as Thrashers GM Rick Dudley did in denying everything. I felt that mainstream writers and hockey people would have a hard time even broaching the subject unless they were responding to somebody that had already made the necessary explicit claims. Then you're just reacting, not noticing. If it sounds stupid, that's because it is. But consider the title of Jeff Klein's article: Thrashers Don't See Race, Just Opportunity. How did they see opportunity if they didn't see race? The line the race conversation forces people to toe is not only ridiculous, it's outside the realm of common sense.

Sidenote: Klein called us "the blogosphere," but don't feel bad we didn't get named. Feel bad for the other bloggers who thought they were part of the blogosphere. Sorry, guys, it's only us now.

This is the way the Thrashers have to play it. I never claimed that they were getting black players without considering their talent or their fit in the lineup. That would be "ludicrous," another word Dudley used. But, if a player happens to be black, and they just happened to acquire him, and this just happens to happen more frequently than at any other time in the history of the NHL in one of the blackest cities in America and the soulless marketing department just happens to notice, well, that's just happenstance. No racism here. Just a happy coincidence. Right? The nature and prevalence of the colour blindness argument forces the Thrashers to feign ignorance at the same time they're so conveniently savvy to start advertising on urban radio stations and magazines. Are you going to tell me the Thrashers just found out about their Atlantan African-American media? No, they knew about it beforehand, and they also knew they didn't have the personnel to utilize that stream of marketing. Incidentally, they acquired 20% of the black players in the NHL.

I don't mind Dudley's refutation. More than anything, it's unfortunate that what he said was what he had to say. I got heat and I'm nobody. Imagine the heat he'd get. The Thrashers would be finished if somebody inside their camp were to admit that, as seems apparent to me, this plan was hatched shortly after they realized they were going to draft Evander Kane. Their social awareness would be misconstrued as racial "exploitation" at a time when colour blindness is policy, and suddenly, they'd be alienated by the very community they're trying so hard to reach. Rick Dudley did the right thing in denying everything.

But forgive me if I think he just winked.


Other notes: you should really be following us on Twitter; and thanks to Puck Daddy for actually naming us in his piece on the subject.

Captain's Corner with Brock Matheson (10/28/10)

In this week's segment, Brock talks about the upcoming games with UConn and RPI, the hot start his team is off to, Lake Placid, along with other topics.

Here's Captain Brock:

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Wheelchair Basketball


Jim Peterson of the Wheelin' Wildcats, Utah's semi-professional wheelchair basketball team, looks to make a pass during a game against Team Hill Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010 at the Hess Fitness Center on the grounds of Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah.

Cisse Done For The Year

In the middle of the first game of the season, against Wisconsin, one of BU's top freshman, Yasin Cisse went down next to the Terrier bench. He limped down the tunnel and into the locker room of the Scottrade Center. Cisse looked as if he hurt his ankle. This was confirmed when I saw him on crutches with his ankle rapped,while he was at diner with the team, after they won the Icebreaker.

It is now thought that Cisse will miss the remainder of the season with a high ankle sprain.

This is not the first time the Cisse will miss a long period of time. Last year, while with the Des Moines Buccaneers, he's season was cut short after a tendon in his leg was severed by an other skate blade. He missed from December on.  


In Other News
Tonight coach Jack Parker win receive the Lester Patrick award.The LP award is giving annually to recognize an individual's contribution to hockey in the United States by the NHL and USA Hockey. Parker, along with BC head coach Jerry York and Bruins great, Cam Neely will be given the award at a diner at the Garden tonight.


BU's Parker earns Patrick award with great service, an article from NHL.com

Freshman standout, Sahir Gill was also featured on NHL.com on the hot list

Fresno State, Nevada negotiating departure

Negotiations continue for the departures of Fresno State and Nevada from the Western Athletic Conference as the two schools prepare to join the Mountain West Conference.Media reports yesterday say one idea under consideration is having both schools' football programs remain in the WAC for the 2011-12 school year, but all other athletic programs (including softball) gaining immediate entrance into

Weekly Sketch 10/27

Haven't posted any sketches in awhile...






PEAC Young Gunz - Goalie Agility Training

October 26th, 2010



PEAC goalie training on ice video: fast feet and agility drills.



Link: http://vimeo.com/16219284

Password: fast feet



PEAC Young Gunz - Goalie Agility Training

October 26th, 2010



PEAC goalie training on ice video: fast feet and agility drills.



Link: http://vimeo.com/16219284

Password: fast feet



Union faces UConn for Thursday night game

The Dutchmen are riding high after beginning the season with a 5-1-0 record. In four of the six games they have beaten up on Atlantic Hockey teams at home, outscoring their AHA opponents 29-6. On Thursday Union welcomes in another Atlantic Hockey team: the University of Connecticut.

The Huskies are traditionally one of the weakest teams in all of college hockey. They were picked to finish 11th out of 12 teams in the AHA pre-season poll. And as I've said over the past month, the AHA is by far the weakest conference in college hockey.

UConn has got off to a decent 1-1-1 start. They opened up the season with a shocking 3-3 tie at now #7 Maine, but then fell to Merrimack 7-1 the following weekend. But, the rebounded with a 3-2 win at Army.

Last season, UConn went 7-27-3 along with a 2-18-2 road record, and finished 11th in their conference. No UConn player last season scored in double digits. Andrew Olson and Justin Hernandez each scored nine goals to lead the team. Olson also led the team with 20 points. Jason Krispel had a team high 12 assists. Freshmen Garret Bartus and Jeff Larson split the majority of the time in between the pipes. Bartus had the best numbers of the two as he went 5-14-1 with a 3.26 GAA and .900 save percentage. Larson left the team in the middle of last season for personal reasons.

The Dutchmen faced off against the Huskies in the Toyota UConn Classic where they demolished the host team 7-0. Union received goals from Mike Wakita, Adam Presizniuk (2), Stephane Boileau, Jason Walters, John Simpson, and Mike Schreiber, while Corey Milan made 14 saves for the shutout. Union holds a 7-0-1 advantage in the series all-time.

You can find more game notes on UConn Huskies.com.

Players To Watch For UConn

Sean Ambrosie: leads the team with three assists and four points.

Cole Schneider: the freshman scored two goals against Army, which leads the team. It was the first time a UConn scored twice in one game since Ambrosie did so in a 4-3 loss at Bentley on October 23, 2009, exactly a year before Schneider did.

Brian Reagan: the senior defenseman accumulated three points with a goal and two assists in the win at Army. He is the first UConn player to tally three points in a game since Jason Krispel recorded three against Bentley in a 4-3 OT loss on February 16, 2008.

Rui Encarnaco: this is more of a personal thing since I grew up playing against this guy in youth hockey and in high school hockey. Rui played for White Plains HS and in the Brewster organization, two rivals of mine. He was a good player then and I'm interested how he adapts to D-I hockey.

Players To Watch For Union

Matt Hatch: scored his first two career goals and assist in the 7-2 win over RIT. Let's see if he cracks the lineup again.

Adam Presizniuk: is second in the nation in scoring.

Brian Yanovitch: surprisingly, he has not appeared in a game this season. Maybe he'll get his chance against a "weak" UConn team.

Prediction: I really believe that the leadership on this team is so strong that there is no way that the Dutchmen over look the Huskies. They should be pedal to the metal for all three periods, which is why I predict a 7-0 Union victory.

Other news from this week:

Union moves to #16 in the USCHO poll
Dutchmen get a lot of love in the INCH Power Rankings
Union jumps to 13th in USA Today/USA Hockey poll
Presizniuk and Kinkaid honored by ECAC
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