Indoor LaCross Riot posted by Richard Kagan

I gotta tell you, I saw a video of a LaCross game brawl that got out of control.  The fight worsened when one team left their bench and raced onto the playing surface.  This was indoor LaCross.  I don't know what level of teams were competing.  It looked like high school or semi-pro.  But what really got me was this act of crazy behavior was scored to hard rock music!  Oh, let's look at athletes gone wild and rock out of some badass guitar.  I'll tell you what has gotten out of control, is the packaging of this violent, unsportsmanlike brawl gone bad.  It ssems like hey, you know the video "Girls gone Wild", well, let's see some guys gone wild.  Glorifying fights of this nature doesn't diminish it, it gives it a license to continue unabated.  I saw the officials who were totally overwhelmed.  How are you going to stop 20 guys from hitting each other?  Get on the PA system.  I turned off the video because I had enough.  I didn't want to hear this wierd scene and listen to music.  Give it a rest.  Next thing you know they'll be selling tickets to see the brawl go out of control.  Nobody wins when that happens.Continue reading "Indoor LaCross Riot"

Kings vs. Rangers? posted by Richard Kagan

It is pretty certain that LA will come out of the Western Conference playoffs.  What remains much more in doubt is the Rangers-Devils series.  NY has a 1-0 lead in the best of 7.  But this series is by no means over.  The Rangers play almost the oppositie of LA.  They grind it out, slow down the game, and let their goalie become the anchor of defense.  A goal or two is usually all the Rangers need to win a game.  That pattern may remain in the Eastern Finals, but it will be sorely tested if NY plays the LA Kings. 

The sleeping giant, that is the LA Kings, has woke up with a vengence.  The Rangers play like the the little engine that could.  It huffs and puffs its way toward the finish line. 

'Hawks Force Game 6 on West Madison posted by Richard Kagan

Jonathan Toews' goal early in OT give the Hawks a big win in Game 5 againt the pesky Phoenix Coyotes.  Now the first round series heads to what will be a loud United Center.  The Hawks fans will be out in full force and throw in a few Hall of Famers watching in the VIP boxes.  One thing for sure is Raffi Torres won't be on the ice. He has been effectively removed from the Series when the NHL suspended him for 25 games, a stiff penalty.  Let's hope it sends the message and let's hope that Marian Hossa is on the road back to a healthy recovery from that cheap shot.  The Big stars need to continue to play big and that includes Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.  It would also help if Patrick Kane got on the scoreboard.  The Hawks also need a good game from Dave Bolland and Marcus Kruger.  If they can get contributions from them, they have a good chance to head back to Phoenix for a day in the sun and game 7.Continue reading "'Hawks Force Game 6 on West Madison"

'Hawks on Brink in Phoenix posted by Richard Kagan

As a long-time Blackhawks fan from the days of Eric Nesterenko, Pierre Pilote, and Pat Stapeton, Bobby and Dennis Hull, and Stan Mikita, I am following their playoff series closely.  They trail 1-0 going into the 3rd frame in the pivotal fifth game.  The Hawks trail 3-1 in games and if the Coyotes win, it will be the first time they will advance beyond the first round in Franchise history.  This is great news for those fans, decked out in white in the stands out there.  The Hawks have underperformed.  They are getting outplayed by a feisty, determined team.  This team does nnot have the firepower or the superstarrs that Chicago has.  They do have an outstanding goalie in Mike Smith.  Maybe, that's what you need in late April.  It doesn't matter if you win 2-0, or 2-1, as long as you win and advance.  And, it looks like Phoenix is about to do just that.  I wouldn't be suprised if the Hawks tie this game up late, and go into another OT, only to lose.  This has been a close series, only because the Coyotes don't have the big guns as Chicago does.  But coach Dave Tippet's plan is working to a near perfect scenario.  The Kane, Toews line has been silenced.  When your star players can't score a goal, that's a recipe for an early exit.  Marian Hossa is out with a concussion.  But he was not scoring when he got wharcked by Raffi Torres. He had 77 points in the regular season.   I think a loss of Hossa matched up vs. Torres' suspension is a win for Coyotes. &nContinue reading "'Hawks on Brink in Phoenix"

Getting Air Hockey Tables posted by NHL Fan

Opt for the variety. Air hockey tables come in three basic kinds: table best air hockey, which implies the air hockey game is placed on best of an currently present table; convertible tables, which suggests it might be converted into a ping-pong, pool or other variety of game table; and standard, which can be a stand-alone air hockey table. Some tables are designed for outside use or give multiplayer options. Feel about your budget and wherever you are going to be playing the game, and then decide which style of table will very best suit your predicament.

Opt for the size. Air hockey tables can differ broadly in size inside every sort. Stand-alone tables, by way of example, are often made for children and have significantly shorter legs and length. Table leading air hockey games are also generally developed for children's perform. Even convertible tables can selection widely in size. Just as some are intended for smaller little ones, others are created for taller adults, a few of whom might come across it unpleasant to bend far above to perform air hockey. In the event the air hockey table will be to get a family of tall teenagers, for instance, you'll choose to select a single that has lengthy legs and will accommodate the height with the players. Finally, be certain the table will match while in the area you have got allotted for it. Measure the room, then look in the measurements of the table for making positive it'll be an ideal match.

Pick out the attributes. All sorts of air hockey tables include selections and functions for making the game far more enjoyable. Some have electronic scoreboards, although others are manual. Some have flashing lights and sounds that activate whenever a aim is scored. Several air hockey tables come with additional equipment, like spare pucks, but some don't.

Flyers obtain Pavel Kubina Flyers obtain Pavel Kubina posted by NHL Fan

The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded defenseman Pavel Kubina to the Philadelphia Flyers for a pair of draft picks, a source close to the team said on Saturday.

Based on the source, the Flyers traded a conditional second round choose they had originally acquired from Florida inside a trade for Kris Versteeg, and also a fourth-rounder in 2013 to land the veteran defenseman.

The Panthers hold the solution on whether the second round choose is often applied this year or in 2013.

Kubina is slated to be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman announced on Thursday that the team was planning on trading the veteran defenseman and would hold him out with the lineup while attempting to make a deal.

Kubina, who has a limited no-trade clause, was asked to provide the team using a list of five teams he was willing to be traded to, Kubina's agent Peter Svoboda told ESPN.com on Thursday night.

The Lightning traded Dominic Moore to San Jose on Thursday. Yzerman told ESPN.com two weeks ago that he would determine his plan for the trade deadline according to where his team was inside the standings within the subsequent 7-10 days. As of Saturday morning, Tampa Bay was in 12th placeContinue reading "Flyers obtain Pavel Kubina Flyers ..."

Giroux Returning to Lineup posted by Jeff Ponder

Claude Giroux is proving that concussions do not have a set timetable for return.  For some players, problems with concussions have spanned throughout multiple seasons.

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins has missed 68 games – and counting – with a concussion.  David Perron of the St. Louis Blues recently missed 97 games with a concussion issue.  It seems that Giroux will miss just four games.

Reports suggest that Giroux will be back in the lineup tonight in Dallas.

Giroux has been sidelined since December 10 after colliding with teammate Wayne Simmonds.  When Giroux missed his first game, he was the league’s leading scorer with 39 points.  Currently, he is tied for first with Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh), Phil Kessel (Toronto) and Henrik Sedin (Vancouver).

During practice Tuesday morning, Giroux rejoined his linemates, Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell, while also spending time on the first power-play unit.  It was Giroux’s third straight day of practice.

In an interview with Philly.com, Giroux stated that he “felt good.”

The timing of Giroux’s return could not have come at a better time.  One week ago today, Flyers captain Chris Pronger was informed that he would be sidelined for the rest of the season with severe post-concussion syndrome.

Engelland Awaiting Hearing posted by Jeff Ponder

Deryk Engelland may not have received a charging penalty during the game but NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan may be assessing punishment nonetheless.

In the Penguins’ 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday night, Engelland delivered a crushing blow to Chicago Blackhawks rookie Marcus Krueger at the 8:55 mark of the first period.  While Krueger was entering the Penguins’ zone, Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis wrapped him up at the blue line.  Engelland approached Krueger from his right and hit him near the boards.  Engelland led with his forearm, knocking Krueger to the ice.  Despite the monstrous collision, Krueger bounced right back up as Engelland fought with Krueger’s teammate, John Scott.  Engelland was assessed a major penalty for fighting while Scott received a 5:00 major for fighting, a 2:00 fight-instigator minor and a game misconduct. 

Krueger played the remainder of the first period but did not return at the start of the second period.  He has since been diagnosed with a concussion.

Shanahan or the NHL has not yet set a date for the hearing.  It is likely that it will take place before the Penguins play Friday evening in Winnipeg to take on the Jets. 

Engelland has no prior history of supplemental discipline in the NHL.

Pick Six: Week 6 posted by Randolph Charlotin

1. That was by far the best game played by the defense all season led by DE Andre Carter’s two sacks. Bend but don’t break was in full effect. Dallas gained 377 total yards, but were one for three in goal to go situations. But goodness, Patriots, work on your tackling.

2. A few streaks to mention:

19 straight home wins

22 straight games with a touchdown pass by Tom Brady

31 straight home wins by Brady

3. One streak that came to an end was the number of regular season games with at least 30 points scored. To his credit, Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is behind New England’s last two sub-30 point games. He coordinated Cleveland’s defense when they held the Pats to 14 points in 2010. The Patriots won their next 10 regular season games after that loss. Could this be a precursor for the rest of the season?

4. A new milestone for Bill Belichick and Brady. They tied Don Shula and Dan Marino for the winningest coach-quarterback duo with 116 wins.

5. Another player switched sides for the Pats. TE Rob Gronkowski was deep in the secondary as part of the Hail Mary coverage. Makes sense to have a 6-7 265 pound athlete boxing out the Cowboys’ tall receivers in the end zone.

6. New England sure likes to run right. 70 of the 101 yards rushing were gained going behind the right guard or right tackle. This might be fun to observe during the season.

Extra Point: This win somewhat makes up for The Sporting News selecting Dallas over Boston as the Best Sports City of 2011. Dallas got the edge on the strength of the Mavericks NBA Championship, the Rangers reaching the World Series, and TCU’s undefeated season. OK, but the Boston Bruins won the Stanely Cup, the Cannons won the Major League Lacrosse Championship, and the Militia won the Women’s Football Alliance Championship. Three championships to one. I rest my case.

Pick Six: Week 5 posted by Randolph Charlotin

1. I have to take a moment and pay respect to Al Davis. The legendary Oakland Raiders owner passed away on Saturday. Born in Brockton, MA, the rebel and leader of the Silver and Black was a steward of the AFL and helped form the modern day NFL. The Patriots held a moment of silence before the game to honor Davis. The league lost an icon.

2. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis pounded away all afternoon for a career-best 136 yards and two touchdowns. He bested his previous career high by 24 yards, set last year against Minnesota. It is Green-Ellis’ third career 100-yard game.

3. Brady’s streak of games with at least two touchdown passes came to an end when a pass went through TE Aaron Hernandez’s hands and into CB Antonio Cromartie’s waiting palms. I heard one analyst say it was Brady’s first red zone interception of his career. Maybe he meant regular season red zone interception because I recall a playoff pick in 2005 to Denver. It was memorable not because CB Champ Bailey nearly went goal line to goal line on the return, but for TE Benjamin Watson chasing Bailey down and knocking Bailey out of bounds. Sorry for bringing up a bad memory, but...

4. Best stoppage of play: New York Jets OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s heel got stuck in a Patriots helmet facemask. How it happened is beyond me, but it was lighthearted moment during an intense game.

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