Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champs

By Scott Antoszewski

Blackhawks 4 Flyers 3 OT

Blackhawks win series 4-2

The Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years. Game six was a back and forth, tightly contested affair, much like the previous five games. The Flyers played with much grit and determination again, and even managed to force overtime with a goal late in the third period. The Blackhawks were just the better team, and they proved it in overtime.

Goalie Antti Niemi stood on his head for the last ten minutes of regulation. One save in particular was especially impressive on Mike Richards from point-blank range. The overtime game winner was scored by Patrick Kane a little more than five minutes into the overtime period. Kane put a sweet head fake on Philly defensemen Kimo Timmonen and drove to the net, a lot like another Chicago legend drove to the basket in the early 90’s. The shot slipped under Leighton’s stick and pads and stuck under the pad that goes around the inside of the net. Kane knew the puck was in immediately, as did Patrick Sharp. Everyone else, including the game’s broadcasters and other players had no idea the Cup had just been won. Kane streaked down the ice shedding his gloves and stick as he did. It took about a minute for the goal to become “official”, but once the players saw the puck in the goal, the party was on.

It was a surreal ending. I was watching on TV and I remember looking up as I heard Mike “Doc” Emerik start to say the word “score”, but he too lost the puck and continued the call for a couple of extra seconds. There was no controversy after seeing the overhead replay. It was clearly a good goal.

I talked to a teammate of mine last night, and found out the feeling of confusion that was in the Wachovia Center last night was mainly due to the fact that the Flyers never showed a single replay of the game winning goal. No goal light came on, nothing. He said he saw Kane shoot the puck and then gear was everywhere. Folks in the rink were very confused. Overall though, the Philly faithful were respectful and well behaved during the post-game ceremonies. I saw some towels get thrown on the ice, but not a lot. They booed Gary Bettman, the NHL Commissioner, but everyone boos the commissioner. It’s like booing a politician. Jonathan Tows won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of the playoffs. Patrick Kane had better numbers but Toews is the captain of the Hawks, so he’s going to get more votes.

The Flyers have nothing to be ashamed of. I know it’s very easy for me to sit here and type that, but think about it. They were one shootout goal away from not even making the playoffs, next they were down three games to none to the Bruins, only to get down three to nothing in game seven of that series. The Flyers never quit, and proved that “History will be made” was the correct slogan for this year’s playoffs. Their run was magical and most of their fans know it.

Overall, the series was a lot of fun to watch. It wasn’t an epic, nor will it be compared to the best series of all time, but I believe it brought more new people to the game. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the game on NBC. Weeknight games had been traditionally carried by Versus as NBC didn’t want to take the ratings hit. It got good overnight ratings too, especially the overtime.

Lastly, I have thoroughly enjoyed writing about hockey for this blog since I started a few months ago, and thank Dan for the opportunity. Thank you for taking the time to read it. I’m looking forward to writing about some other sports as the summer and fall go on, and then getting back in to Hockey in the fall. Congrats to the Blackhawks….but look out for the Caps in 2011!

Special K dominates, Yanks blast O's

By Dan Rodgers

My Tuesday night was fairly eventful. My girlfriend and I decided to attend our second Yanks vs. Orioles game in a week, this one at Camden Yards. Of course she forgot the camera so I took a couple pictures with my phone...nothing special. Whoever said Yankees fans aren't nice was dead wrong. My girl and I were standing in line to buy the eight dollar cheap seats when some guy motioned for me to come over to him. Kind of sketchy right? Well, he had two seats he wanted to give away to me. Fine with me considering they retailed for sixty bucks each and we were going to spend eight bucks on our tickets. They were beautiful and under cover, just in case.

Granderson, Swisher, and Teixeira all homered for the Yanks; Adam Jones hit a two-run homer for the O's. Granderson's bomb was a grand slam, an extremely exciting moment in the game... for Yanks fans. O's fans had had enough and most of them left the game early, but the Baltimore team did show some fight scoring two runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth.

In other news, Stephen Strasburg showed absolutely dominance in his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. I know he gave up a two-run homer, but he also struck out 14 and walked a magical zero in seven innings of work. He is the first pitcher in MLB history to strike out 11 or more batters and walk none in their debut. That's pretty impressive considering the sport is over 100 years old. He finished his appearance retiring the previous 10 batters he faced, striking out the last seven. The Nationals did him right and scored five runs and Strasburg was credited with the win, as Matt Capps closed it out for the Nats and now has a MLB-leading 19 saves.

There isn't much else to say about Strasburg besides the fact that his next opponent, the Cleveland Indians, have already sold the most tickets to that game then any other this season. Enough said.

Oh, I also heard that there is restaurant in D.C. that now has the "Strasburger". So if you're in the area you should check it out...I know I'm going to.

Rodgers That

Stanley Cup: game five recap

By Scott Antoszewski

Blackhawks 7 Flyers 4

Blackhawks lead series 3-2

The scoreboard at the “Madhouse on Madison” had a very simple image. There was a picture of the Stanley Cup and a number one. The Hawks torched both Philly goalies for seven more goals, and are now one win away from winning their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.

There were many strong similarities to the first game of the series, as the teams combined for 11 goals, and Flyers goalie Michael Leighton got pulled. Chicago jumped all over the Flyers in the first period, scoring three goals and taking that 3-0 lead to the first intermission. The Flyers showed the resilience that is their trademark in this years playoffs, getting the deficit down to two goals twice, but they just couldn’t overcome the Hawks fast start. Neither Leighton nor Boucher were overly spectacular for the Flyers. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville moved Patrick Kane to the second line in an effort to spread out the scoring threat. Chris Pronger had been on the ice every time the Toews, Kane and Byfuglien(pronounced buff-len) line was on the ice in the first four games. The move allowed Kane to get more time and space with the puck and he responded with a huge game.

Byfuglien had a much better night against Pronger in the trenches as well. The Blackhawks power play was two goals out of four chances on the evening, which was the first time special teams has made an impact in the series. The best analogy I can give you is the Blackhawks were like the bully, who have just enough strength to keep the Flyers at arms length. The Flyers certainly didn’t quit in this game, but they just couldn’t get close after Chicago went up 3-0. The game was very entertaining, which has been a nice trend throughout the series. All the matches have been fun to watch so far.

Now the series shifts back to Philly on Wednesday night. Will the home ice advantage hold true? Home ice had been almost a disadvantage so far in the playoffs, it’s nice to see that has turned around for the Finals. It will be interesting to see how both teams play with the Stanley Cup in the building. I can’t wait for this one!

Goal scorers in game five:

Chicago: Brent Seabrook(Power Play), Dave Bolland, and Kris Versteeg in the first. Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien(Power Play) in the second. Partick Sharp and Dustin Byfuglien(Empty Net) in the third.

Philadelphia: Scotty Hartnell and Kimo Timmanen in the second. James Van Reimsdyk and Simon Gagne in the 3^rd.

A night full of baseball

By Dan Rodgers

Just a quickie here guys. I am going to the Orioles vs. Yankees game tonight to watch my beloved Yanks hopefully kick the crap out of the O's. I'll take some pictures at the game and post them for you.

However, the real point of this quickie is because Stephen Strasburg will be starting for the first time in the big leagues tonight. He will face the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park.

Strasburg pitched in eleven games in the minor leagues, earning nine decisions. He posted an impressive 7-2 mark with an astounding 1.30 earned run average. He seemed to completely dominate while he was down there and proved to the Nats and the rest of baseball that he is ready to pitch in the majors.

He struck out 65 batters in 55 and a third innings and only walked 13 batters. Only one lucky fella hit a homer off of him, and we'll see if the Pirates can add to that total tonight. Look for Strasburg to only throw a maximum of 90-95 pitches. However long he can drag that out is up to him.

I wish the best for him and the Nats; living in the D.C. area for so long has put the Nats in my heart.

Rodgers That

Stanley Cup: game four recap

By Scott Antoszewski

Flyers 5 Blackhawks 3

Series Tied 2-2

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a series. The outcome of game four is exactly why I don’t pick games, especially in the playoffs. The Flyers showed grit and skill at the same time as they evened the Stanley Cup Finals at two games apiece.

The Blackhawks were never really in this game. The Flyers imposed their will from the opening face-off all the way to the final whistle. I find it amazing what a little “home cooking” can do for a team. Less than a week ago the Hawks were up 2-0 and a lot of folks (myself included) were thinking sweep. Now, the series heads back to the “Mad House on Madison” on Sunday evening for game five, with the Stanley Cup Final down to a best of three.

Toews and Kane are still struggling to get on the board for the Hawks, and Chicago really needs them to get going. Philly’s big guns woke up for games thee and four, the two Flyer wins. It will be interesting to see if the trends hold true and the Hawks win again at home. Looks like a long road to the Cup from here. Goal scorers in game four were as follows:

Flyers: Mike Richards, Matt Carle, Claude Giroux in the first. Ville Lieno and Jeff Carter in the third.

Blackhawks: Patrick Sharp in the first. Dave Bolland and Brian Campbell in the third.

Game five is Sunday night at 8 pm.

NBA Finals, just as I suspected

By Dan Rodgers

I told you so. Kobe is so far beyond anyone it amazes me. Well, maybe not considering it is something I am getting used to seeing. I'm writing this post during game two, so I'll include parts of that as well.

Let us keep track during the post. I'm starting and it's Lakers 21 Celtics 20.

Game one went exactly how I suspected Kobe owned; and Pau Gasol showed that he can play with the big boys (i.e. Garnett). Like I said in the previous post, the Lakers x-factor Gasol, would be the key to the Lakers dominating in the paint on both sides of the ball. He had 23 points and 14 rebounds, eight of them on the offensive end. He also added three blocks while managing to stay out of foul trouble.

Kobe added another 30-point performance, which he achieved on a three-pointer with three seconds left in the game. Kind of funny but understandable because the shot clock expired so he had to take a shot.

The Celtics shot a measely 1-10 from three-point land and got out rebounded by 11. Paul Pierce had a respectable game with 24 points and nine rebounds. No one else on the Celtics had a notable game. I know what you're thinking, not even Rajon Rondo did (13 pts 8 assists).

Update: Lakers 22 Celtics 29 End Q1

As for my other x-factor, clearly since above I said Kobe had 30, they didn't do their job. So, we'll see if anyone can do a better job covering number 24 tonight. I don't think they will, but hey...what do I know?

Rodgers That