Tides turning

After a year that saw the Lakers, BU Terriers, and Yankees all win championships, so far 2010 has had a much nicer feel to it. First the US world junior hockey team beats a heavily favored Canadian team for the gold. Then Peyton Manning throws a choking interception and loses the Super Bowl to the Saints. And not BC has won the Beanpot. I'm not going to go crowning anyone else yet but I have to admit this is a pretty good start only a little more than one month into the year.

Congrats to the Eagles, by the way, on a quality win against a very tough opponent. BU is definitely coming around and last night was a true battle between two top college hockey teams. The Terriers still have a lot of work to do if they want to see the NCAA tourney, but I won't rule them out just yet. A sweep of Maine this weekend would go a long way to bringing them back as they would pass .500 for the first time all season. But a sweep by Maine will probably mean they need to win the Hockey East tourney to get in as remaining games against Providence, Vermont, and Northeastern will not have the Pairwise juice to get them there. This was a vital game for both teams and they both played like it. BC showed great poise and toughness to withstand the BU charge and hold on for the victory.

Congrats to the John Muse. After having a tough off-season, including having another goaltender brought in because there was fear he would not be ready for the start of the season, Muse has righted the ship and looks very solid in net for the Eagles as they begin the stretch run. Muse had not allowed more than two goals in a game since the last time he faced BU at Fenway and had only allowed 6 goals total in his previous 5 starts. Play like that wins trophies as he cleaned up with three of them last night.

Congrats to Chris Kreider. The freshman phenom has started to come out of his slow start and picked up his 5th goal in his last 5 games, this one of the highlight reel variety. So good in fact that it was #1 on ESPN's Top Plays last night. Well done Chris - now just keep the momentum going.

At a loss

Mrs. Pike scored tickets to the Bruins game last night as they attempted to put an and to their eight game losing streak. I was finally able to wear my Winter Classic Neely jersey to a game and was enjoying some great seats (not far from Barry Peterson, Mike Milbury, and the lovely Kathryn Tappen and the NESN broadcast crew on the loge level) and an early 2-0 lead. The Canadiens of course came back and tied the score late in the second despite being ridiculously outplayed for the majority of the first two periods.

After nothing was settled through overtime or the first two rounds of the shoot-out, Brian Gionta steps to the center dot preparing for his shoot-out attempt. Not sure what I was thinking as I put my head down and said, "Please Brian, remember all the nice things that happened to you in this building (Fleetcenter/TD Banknorth Garden/TD Bank Garden)." Of course I was thinking about Beanpots and Hockey East titles - things that make me happy. Unfortunately, he was thinking about things that make him happy and decided it would be a good time to make another nice memory. At the Bruins expense. Savard's subsequent try was stopped by Halak. End of game. Loss number 9.

I'm starting to think I cursed the Bruins by saying a few weeks ago in this space that they would make the playoffs...

Tuesday musings

Normally I would have written something on Monday talking about news from over the weekend but I just couldn't formulate the ideas yesterday. A little Monday blues after the events of this weekend. Considering what has been seen from the Boston teams of late I think we can definitively say that the honeymoon is over and the "City of Champions" tag can be mothballed for the time being. The way our teams are playing right now there is probably no titles in the foreseeable future (I have the right to change my mind come September). I find myself out of sorts at times, when I was growing up Boston was always the town of "almost". Buckner, Glen Wesley hits the crossbar, Parcells' Pats, Jamie O'Leary hits the crossbar. Since 2001 its been a parade of titles of varying degrees across all sports (yes, even the Revolution). I think that the ownership of many of the teams have learned how to win so I don't think it will be quite as long a drought between the next titles (1986 to 2001 was a looooong time - yes I am intentionally neglecting BU's hockey national title in 1995) but Bostonians may be waiting a few years.

On to my weekend observations:

- Frozen Fenway was a great way to start the weekend. It was cold, it was snowing. there was an ice rink at Fenway Park (by the way, how cool is that?? Ice rink at Fenway? does it get any better?). Unfortunately for us Eagle fans the product on the ice was not as good as the surroundings. Because of the snow, BC was unable to get their speed game going and looked downright lost on the ice for a period and three quarters. By the time they actually figured out how to play on that ice they were down 3-0 and just couldn't get that final shot off. Was this a great experience? Absolutely (though my toes would argue against that statement as they ceased to exist by the third period). The game itself was not one to write home about. It was sloppy, the snow slowed it down to limit quality scoring opportunities, 4 of the 5 goals we sloppy bouncers, and neither team looked good. It will be very interesting to see what BC has for BU a week from Friday when they meet at Conte for the final Hockey East tilt between the two teams this season (there is always Beanpot and tournament game possibilities). Boston College is the better team at this point in the season. Though BU has won two key Hockey East games one was against a scuffling UMass team and the other was a game that if played indoors may have gone drastically different. The Terriers are far from the championship form of last year and BC has proven over the last three games that they are still a young team looking to find a solid direction this season. It has cost them Pairwise positioning (currently out of the tournament - from #2 to out of the tourney in 2 weeks) and it could be a struggle to get back to form.

- Speaking of the Pairwise, currently the highest ranked Hockey East team is Vermont at #10. However, Vermont is only 6th in the conference standings. When was the last time that a Hockey East team was in the projected tourney field simply because they lead the conference and not because they were in the top 16 teams in the nation (New Hampshire). Some of the teams at the top of Hockey East are going to need to a hurting on the lower teams consistently in order to improve the RPI & strength of schedule for the conference in general so they can get more teams in the tourney.

- My comment on the Pats is only this - Brady tried to do too much and I think the injuries bothered him more than he would admit. And Wes Welker would not have made a difference in that game. Run defense would have.

- Good to see that Mark McGwire was finally able to admit he used steroids. It only took the rest of the league to get caught and for him to realize that it was not going to make his Hall of Fame chances any worse. What do we think went into his decision to come out? The fact that more and more writers and commentators (including the Rant) have said that steroids don't matter anymore. That we're all sick of hearing about it and just want it to go away. That many are even lobbying to allow the steroid users into Cooperstown in a special "steroid era" section. As I mentioned before in this space when news of Ortiz' use came out, if everyone was doing it, Big Mac was still doing it better than most and maybe that should be acknowledged. I don't give him absolution because he is still a coward for his "I'm not here to talk about the past" in front of Congress (at least he didn't lie - yes, I'm talking to you Mr. Palmeiro). He came out now because it was safe and he knew he wouldn't be able to keep his new Cardinals job without addressing it and putting it to bed before the season started. Not matter what he may be, he's still better than Bonds & Clemens. Time to own up gentlemen.

- The Bruins will make the playoffs. There I said it. They can't score and they are having trouble winning but they are still competing on a nightly basis and Stuart, Ference, Savard, and Bergeron will not be out forever. They will be a better team when they have all their players back in the line-up. Provided they can get 100% healthy (I would settle for 90% at this point - I think they made a pact that anyone with freshly minted contract extensions (Savard & Lucic) were not allowed to stay on the active roster at the same time this year), this team can make a run. It won't be easy as they have a 7 game road trip in early March but it can be done. Of course, landing Ilya Kovalchuk wouldn't hurt either (a man can dream, can't he? yes, I know, Atlanta is going to want way more than Chiarelli is willing to let go).

A whole new team?

February approaches and with it three of the most anticipated words in the sports world to start the new year - "pitchers and catchers". For baseball fans everywhere those three words mark the beginning of a new season and the beginning of the hopes and dreams of 30 MLB teams vying to be the last man standing (and perhaps having to play the Japanese champion as talks surface about a possible true World Series).

But we are still several weeks away from pitchers and catchers so the Rant's eye turns to the continuing off-season which has been an eventful one for Red Sox Nation. We have seen many new signings (Mike Cameron, John Lackey, Marco Scutero, and soon Adrian Beltre to name a few), sad goodbyes (Jason Bay), goodbyes to failed experiments (Rocco Baldelli, Casey Kotchman), almost goodbyes (Mike Lowell), and general moving parts (to left with you Jacoby). One thing is for sure, this will be a very different Boston Red Sox team than the one that took the field in 2009. But the changes are not over Red Sox Nation. The term "bridge team" has been thrown about and the 2011 Red Sox will certainly be much different than even the 2010 version.

This year is all about putting a competitive team on the field to keep fan interest and keep the merchandise selling while also looking to the future and the mass changes that could be on the horizon. Mike Lowell will certainly be gone before the 2010 season is finished and whatever salary the Red Sox absorb to make the trade happen will be off the books in November as well. Also coming off the books are David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Victor Martinez, and Josh Beckett. Adrian Beltre is on a one year deal with a player option at almost a 50% rate for 2011. All this means one thing - the Sox are looking to be major players in the 2010-2011 offseason free agent market (Joe Mauer anyone?).

Granted, the Sox will always have the option to extend Martinez, Beckett & Beltre but Varitek and Ortiz are almost certainly departing at the end of the year unless Ortiz has a rejuvenated season after his down year of 2009. Martinez is likely to hit the free agent market as the Sox will make the push for Mauer but will face heavy competition from the Yankees who are in need of an everyday catcher as well. Should Minnesota pull money out of a magic hat and somehow lock up Mauer during the season or do a sign and trade at the deadline with another club, the likelihood of a Martinez return certainly increases.

Beckett is a different issue. He has been dominating at times over the past two seasons but not like he was in 2007. That Beckett may be gone for good, we'll see. Should Dice-K and Clay Bucholtz have solid seasons, Beckett becomes expendable since the Sox have a top two of Lester and Lackey sewn up beyond 2010. The Sox could dip into free agency for a cheaper #2 or #3 starter or make a trade and still have a solid rotation at a cheaper value than their current starting five.

Adrian Beltre is essentially on a try-out contract. If he comes to Fenway and has a monster year and flashes that Gold Glove quality at third while staying healthy, the Sox may be inclined to offer an extension and keep him around for a few years to offer some middle order thump from the hot corner position. As much as I hate to see Mike Lowell go from a sentimental stand-point, it was just painful to watch him attempt to play his position last year and the Sox need to get younger and faster if they want to stay in the hunt long term.

The other question mark is Jonathan Papelbon. The boy can't keep his mouth shut. His arrogance is approaching the "just get him out of here" point. We all know you're good, kid, you don't have to keep reminding us. Personally, I would like to see Daniel Bard progress to the point where Papelbon becomes tradeable and maybe he can be a piece that can land them Adrian Gonzalez. Should Ortiz be dismissed at the end of the season, plugging Gonzalez or someone of his caliber in as the DH would go a long way to ease the pain of the end of the Big Papi era.

Change is a-coming for the Boston Red Sox. I would predict as many as 5 players from the opening day starting roster may not be with the team come opening day 2010. Nevermind the changes in the 40-man. The other consideration is that some of these guys may just be let go and the likes of Ryan Westmoreland, Josh Reddick, and Casey Kelly could be manning the field at Fenway in 2011.

Random thoughts

Another year is about to come to a close and we are full of lists about the greatest things of the past decade. It gets a little tiring. "Greatest books of the decade", "Best 1B of the decade", "All-Decade AFC Team", "Best latte of the decade". Ok, so I made the last one up but you get the point. I am not going to give in to the list mentality. I shall simply forge ahead has I always have and treat this like any other post - giving you my thoughts about events since the last time I posted.

- BC could have won that bowl game. As a BC fan it was disheartening to see the team play so well offensively in the second quarter only to revert to the terrible team in the third. Fumbles and interceptions became the norm and they bowed to the Trojans. Everyone wants to point to Shinskie's interception in the 4th quarter that ended any hope of a rally but Montel Harris' fumble after the great interception by Bowman was the turning point in that game. BC had all the momentum going into the locker room and the early pick kept that going. Had BC been able to even put a field goal on the board and take the lead it would have been a huge morale booster and put the Trojans behind to a team everyone expected them to beat. I truly believe that a touchdown in that situation would have been enough for BC to ride to victory. But I suppose that's why they lost 5 games this year in because of the inexperience on offense. I take some positives from this game in that they were able to hang tough with USC. They should be a much better team next year.

- The Bruins need Milan Lucic back. Too many games are being played without the energy and killer instinct that Lucic brings to the arena. They are losing too many games 1-0, 2-1 to teams they should be pasting. Though close it looks like Lucic will not be back for the Winter Classic. Here's hoping he is back for Monday's game against the Rangers.

- Speaking of the Winter Classic. The latest forecast, rain. And lots of it. How will that affect the playing surface with constant water falling on it. When the game was in Buffalo and there was snow it was OK as they just swept the surface every once and a while but rain can be a whole different animal that could affect puck movement and cause potential puddles on the ice. It will be interesting to see how they handle this on New Year's Day. As it stands right now, the BC v. BU game on the 8th is looking to have a little better luck. It will be colder but no precipitation is called for as of yet.

- Jason Bay signed with the Mets. The chances of him coming back to Boston died the minute they signed Mike Cameron. The owners do not want to become the Yankees and pay the luxury tax which is what they would have had to do in order to sign Bay with Cameron, Lackey, and the newly returned Mike Lowell still on the roster. I don't think this means the Sox are done dealing. If they can trade Lowell to someone else at a discount they may still sign Adrian Beltre. They may sign Beltre anyway and just get rid of Lowell after he recovers from surgery and proves he can still play. The Sox still need something else in that lineup. As it stands right now replacing Jason Bay with Mike Cameron does not improve their offense and with question marks in Lowell, Ortiz, and Drew there is a potential huge power hole after Youkilis and Martinez. Pitching will only carry them so far but the rotation looks very deep, especially if Dice-K can have a rebound season.

- The college hockey season got back into the swing last night with a mini-slate of game highlighted by the Great Lakes Invitational and other holiday tournaments. Losses by Quinnipiac, Union, and Cornell shook up the Pairwise rankings and after the hot start Quinnipiac is 14th and in danger of falling out of the tournament field. Sometimes success can be a bigger killer of your season than adversity. Not only did the Bobcats lose last night but they lost to a very bad Harvard team who won just their second game of the season. It will be interesting to see if the Q can pull it together for a second half run and get themselves back into a #1 seed.

- BC is nearing the end of their grueling streak of 9 out of 10 games away from Kelley Rink. So far they are 6-0-1 in the first seven games (8-1-1 in their last 10) and have vaulted themselves to #2 in the PWR. It's still early but the energy and scoring ability of this young BC team has surprised me (they have scored 3 or more goals in all but 2 games this season). The sophomores have been contributing nightly (led by early season surprise Cam Atkinson's 8 goals and 15 points) and Parker Milner (4-0-0, 2.25GAA, .905 save %) has proven to be a solid backup for still recovering John Muse. The pieces are there to make a run and should super-freshman Chris Krieder find the scoring touch he seems to be using in the World Junior tournament, the Eagles should be a player in the national picture come March.