A Message to Boston Sports Fans posted by Charles Bisbee

There’s been a lot of griping recently over the state of Boston sports, serving (for me) as another ugly reminder of the developing, spoiled and cocksure nature of fans in this area. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Despite not  having played superbly of late, the Celtics stand at 31-16 and hold a five-and-a-half game lead in their division over Toronto.  

The Patriots finished the season at 10-6 (and a perfect 8-0 at home) and lost in the conference semi-finals to Baltimore.

The line between the Red Sox and Yankees is becoming more blurred each year (I know, I know, blasphemous!). But the Sox pay more and more to rob smaller market teams of their best players. Last year they finished 95-67 and, again, made the playoffs.

The Bruins are apparently stinking up then Garden this year but last year made a nice push into the playoffs.

All this leading me to ask, “what the deuce is the matter with Boston sports fans?” Have we become so spoiled and jaded by the seemingly constant ticker-tape parades down Tremont St. that we’ve subconsciously assumed an unwarranted sense of entitlement traditionally held by Yankee fans?

Not to sound like some ornery, old folgie wannabe but do you remember the early-mid 90’s? Do you remember Carlos Quintana? Todd Day? How about Marty Conlan? Lets gain a little perspective and lose the sense of entitlement. Isn’t that what always has (and still should) differentiate us from Yankee fans?

Leafs busy as deadline looms posted by Andy Charles

As the trade deadline approaches it was the Toronto Maple Leafs who made the first big moves to start the rebuilding of their franchise with the addition of hulking defenseman Dion Phaneuf and veteran goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

The Leafs appear unlikely to challenge for the Eastern Conference playoff places this season, sitting bottom after a 5-3 defeat by Vancouver on Saturday that saw them take a 3-0 lead and fall to an embarrassing defeat with some poor play on the blueline.

Toronto have let in more goals than any other team in the NHL this season and needed a real shutdown defender who also provides some offense – there are few better at both, according to NHL Picks, than Phaneuf.

GM Brian Burke appears to have started work early and, other than center Matt Stajan, doesn’t seem to have given up much in the way of talent to add two players who could be a real improvement on their current staff.

Phaneuf, at 6ft 6ins, will give a deal more stability than Ian White on the first defensive pairing and when Mike Komisarek returns to his best after shoulder trouble they have a couple of veterans to look after promising youngsters Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarsson.

The Leafs also received veteran winger Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie in the Phaneuf deal, giving up Stajan, White, Niklas Hagman and Jamal Mayers.

Aulie could be a very interesting add to the Toronto farm as well, since he played very well for Canada in the World Junior Championship, and his size will also be something for the Leafs to make use of when he is ready to graduate from the American Hockey League.

Maple Leafs Make Some Big Moves posted by Jeff Ponder

It seems that Leafs' GM Brian Burke has not needed sleep this weekend.

Burke announced on Sunday morning that the team had made two blockbuster moves that will see all-star defenseman Dion Phaneuf and all-star goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere in Maple Leaf jerseys.  Burke shipped forwards Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan, and Nick Hagman with defenseman Ian White to the Flames for Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie.  The second trade involved Giguere heading to Toronto from Anaheim for forward Jason Blake and goaltender Vesa Toskala.

The trade comes the morning after a loss to Vancouver on Saturday, sending the Leafs on a six-game winless skid.  But Burke denies that the trades have anything to do with the losses.  He says that “these pieces were in place prior to yesterday.”

"We've got to create tension where there's enough talent on the roster and a high enough battle level that the coach has decisions to make," Burke said. "Right now he doesn't have decisions to make. It's these guys who got to go on the ice. We're trying to change that. Today is an important part of changing that."

Its no surprise that the team is having a shake-up; some people in Toronto are pointing fingers at head coach Ron Wilson for the team's atrocious 17-28-11 record, which ties them for last in the Eastern Conference.  But Wilson has proven time and again that he has regular-season success.  His 569-489-101-70 all-time record (with the Mighty Ducks, Capitals, Sharks and Maple Leafs), proves that he knows how to be an elite coach in the game. 
Continue reading "Maple Leafs Make Some Big Moves"

Coyote Ugly - Deserted Dogs posted by Goon Squad

Keith Jeffries of Huntsville Sports Ventures has been the owner of the Havoc, a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League, for all six years - the longest stint of the city's four previous franchises.

Admittedly, he didn't know that much about the sport before he became an owner, but he did love watching the game.

After selling his business several years ago, it was a search "for that second career" that led Jeffries to the front office of the minor league team.

Decorating the walls of the team's main office are framed jerseys from past years. His office, off to the side of the main office, is modestly decorated with bookshelves, pictures, a couple of hockey masks, pucks and a family picture prominently displayed.

Last week, Jeffries talked about the team and the sport with Times business editor Budd McLaughlin. The conversation has been edited for space and clarity.

Q: What is Huntsville Sports Ventures Inc.?

A: It's the parent company of the Havoc and I'm the only stockholder. We called it Huntsville Sports Ventures instead of the Havoc because we may go into other promotions in sports entertainment. We owned the (Tennessee Valley) Vipers (arena football team) for a couple of years and were involved in the Arenacross (motocross) at the VBC and were a small backer of the Big Spring Jam one year.

Q: Is there a relationship between the Havoc and the Vipers?

A: No. We're tenants in the same building. That's all. We get along extremely well, but there's no business relationship.

Q: What is your relationship with the Von Braun Center administration?

Boston Boxing: Team Training on NESN packs quite a punch posted by Colin Linneweber

New England Sports Network (NESN) is in the midst of airing a six-episode reality television program titled, Boston Boxing: Team Training.

The series documents the teachings of a renowned local boxing trainer to 40 amateur pugilists with extremely varying skill levels over a span of 12 weeks.

Ed LaVache, the owner of the Boston Boxing Club in Allston, instructed these amateurs how to train and box in competitive teams.

“This series is special because it shows what type of gym we run,” said LaVache, who began boxing 20 years ago for exercise when he played football at Framingham State College. “We have a varying clientele. Some boxers are extremely competitive and others are mostly non-competitive. Some are males, and some are females.”

Among LaVache’s elite pupils are New England Amateur Welterweight champ Tommy Duchette of Waltham and Hector Hernandez of Boston.

Duchette, who is ranked 13th in the nation as an amateur in his weight class, is attempting to qualify for the U.S. Olympic boxing team and Hernandez is training with hope of capturing his Marciano belt and title.

“These people aren’t in it for the money," said LaVache. “They are fighting to improve and win.”

The idea for this series was spawned by filmmaker and President of Metropolitan Pictures, Scott Matalon.

Matalon, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., had recently finished filming his second movie and he was looking for another project to commence.

USA! USA! USA! posted by Goon Squad

Has it been 30 years now since the US beat the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid?(It seems like only yesterday...)

The Americans went on to win the gold medal in hockey that year - something that hasn't happened since, but don't expect any miracles next month at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. No, the United States still isn't favored to win a gold medal in hockey. In that respect the Americans remain underdogs. But with a roster stacked with young talent, they certainly are a medal candidate - one that the powerhouses from Canada, Russia and Sweden can't afford to overlook. "A little bit different situation [than 1980] in my opinion," said United States team captain Jamie Langenbrunner, a forward with the NHL's New Jersey Devils. "As much as Canada deserves all the credit that they're getting for the players they have, the 23 players named to the [United States] team play in the same league as those guys and we feel quite comfortable playing against them on a nightly basis. We feel we belong on the same ice."

That's a far cry from goalie Jim Craig and the 1980 team! US coach Herb Brooks had to convince that group of college All-Stars that it could compete with the grown men the Soviet Union sent over. But since 1998 the NHL has allowed its professional players to compete at the Winter Olympics. So this group of Americans is baffled by the notion that they would be intimidated by any of the major hockey powers.

Told of stories in the Canadian press that listed him as the only American capable of making the loaded Team Canada roster, forward Zach Parise chuckled. "I think that's kind of a bold statement," said Parise, also a New Jersey Devils forward. "I don't think there's going to be too many people that would agree with that."

Weighing in on Blues – Canucks Rumors posted by Jeff Ponder

Is it just me, or is it that Canucks media is making it seem that David Backes will ultimately end up in Vancouver?

Canucks GM Mike Gillis attempted to sign Blues forward and restricted free-agent David Backes to an offer sheet worth $7.5 million over three years.  With Backes as a fan-favorite and a valuable asset to the Blues' rebuilding phase, St. Louis GM Larry Pleau had no choice but to match the offer and reclaim his player. 

But now the rumor mill is filled with Backes going to Vancouver yet again.  It was reported by The Globe and Mail that the Vancouver GM was spotted at the Bell Centre last Wednesday in a game that featured the St. Louis Blues and the Montreal Canadiens.  What exactly would draw him to that game?

Backes will earn another $2.5 million next season.  The 25-year old scored a career-high 31 goals in the first year of his new contract, but has trailed off since that time.  After scoring one goal in the Canucks' four-game sweep of the Blues in the post-season, Backes has added just ten goals in 2009-10.  His production has slipped, but still has tremendous respect from around the league.  Former Blues head coach Andy Murray once said that David gives the Blues “a triple threat down low in the corners and in front of the net – a big body that can pass, score goals and be a presence down low.”

Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown has even sung Backes' praises. 

“When I look at David Backes, I see kind of a mirror of my career," he said last season. "You try to make an impact any way you can. We both started out by trying to impact a game with our size and our hits. In the process, you open up ice for yourself and your teammates.”
Continue reading "Weighing in on Blues – Canucks Rumors"

From Russia, with love. posted by Goon Squad

Did I say love? My bad!

A huge fight that stopped a KHL Championship game just after four minutes of play has led to a criminal investigation being launched into the reasons behind the major brawl at the game between Vityaz Chekhov and Avangard Omsk on January 9th.

Match officials struggled desperately to separate the teams and eject the offending players before the game resumed, but another fight broke out after just seven more seconds of play.

The officials finally scrapped the match, with only seven and eight players, respectively, left on each team.

According to the Moscow Region’s Prosecutor's Office, the teams will be probed for disorderly conduct. "The players of both teams - using hockey sticks as tools to sort out their relationships – disturbed public order and the rules of the game, hurt each other and broke sporting rules. The match was stopped due to the fight and a lack of players in the teams due to penalties. As a result of the fight, ten Avangard players and three Vityaz men were injured, as well as the referee," the statement by the Prosecutor’s Office said.

After interviews with on-ice officials and witnesses to the game, and what the league's press release termed "the review of videotapes," the following sanctions were issued by the KHL: Both teams have forfeited the game and were fined one million rubles. (That's an American equivalent of $33,500.)

The NHL Could Learn from the NFL posted by Jeff Ponder

Did you see that crazy backhand goal by Michael Del Zotto of the Rangers that snuck its way through Boston's Tim Thomas a few weeks ago?  Of course you did, it was the only afternoon game on that Saturday.

Well how about that exciting shootout between Colorado and Buffalo that went through 22 skaters?  Or that great defensive win by the Panthers over the Senators where Tomas Vokoun had an 18-save shutout?  No, you probably missed those because you were watching your favorite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, get shelled by Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-1 on home ice.

The Rangers-Bruins game was broadcasted at 1:00 EST on January 9, making it the only game on between the hours of 1:00 and 7:00.  But that is when the NHL flood started; six games were played at 7:00, three games at 8:00 and three more at 10:00 or after.

What can the National Football League teach us?

On December 27 (NFL week 16), NFL fans watched a great game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at 1:00 in which Steelers' receiver Santonio Holmes got 86 receiving yards against a tough Ravens defense, and Ravens' halfback Ray Rice amassed 141 rushing yards in a 23-20 Steelers victory.  Shortly after that game ended (approximately 4:15), NFL spectators watched in horror as American hero Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts fell to the New York Jets 29-15 to end their perfect season bid.  As if that wasn't enough, the NFL had yet another exciting game start at 8:20 between the surging Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears.  Greg Olsen's brilliant catch in the endzone during the first half led the way as the Bears squeezed out a victory, 36-30.
Continue reading "The NHL Could Learn from the NFL"

2 year old Eclipse nominees posted by Jan Hoadley

Some nice 2007 foals hit the track as two year olds in 2009 and among the best are those nominated for Eclipse awards in the 2 year old division.

The top nominations for colts are Lookin at Lucky, Noble’s Promise and Vale of York while the top fillies nominated are Blind Luck, Hot Dixie Chick and She Be Wild.

Lookin’ at Lucky brings some strong credentials to the table and is among the early hard looks for the Kentucky Derby. A son of Smart Strike out of the Belong To Me mare Private Feeling, he has the classic connections of Mike Pegram (owner) and Bob Baffert (trainer) along with breeding that can get the job done. He went into the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile undefeated with two G1 wins and a G2 win following his maiden win. He ran second in the Juvenile to Vale of York but bounced back with another G1 win in the CashCall futurity at a mile and 1/16 and has earned serious consideration for the award based on performance.

Godolphin Racing’s Vale Of York has little to shrug at. The son of Invincible Spirit out of Red Vale by Halling did win the Juvenile. That wasn’t all he’d done, winning twice before then in stakes class in addition to a second in a G1, 3rd in G2 and 5th in G3 races.

Noble’s Promise was second his first out then broke his maiden in his second race. He put together three wins including a G1 before his third place run in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and second to Lookin’ at Lucky in the CashCall Futurity. The Cuvee son is out of the Clever Trick daughter The Devil’s Trick.

Stewart, Yip lead Avs over Blues 5-2 (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Lombardi's 5 points power Coyotes (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Devils D Salmela OK after hit to face (AP)

New Jersey Devils defensemen Anssi Salmela said he had a headache, but was otherwise OK after being taken off the ice on a stretcher following a scary hit to the face from the Philadelphia Flyers' Jeff Carter. As he scored a short-handed goal that gave the Devils a 2-0 lead in the second period Monday night, Salmela was struck hard by Carter's right shoulder as he skated by. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Richards' goal lifts Flyers over Devils (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Sharks earn eighth straight road win (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports