Random Mus(e)ings from the Weekend

- I must say that over the weekend John Muse looked every bit the prized recruit we heard about coming into the season. He was in position, he moved well, he made spectacular saves and made all the ordinary saves. The two goals he allowed were not really his fault (especially considering he was actually IN the net for one of them) and he helped keep Providence from gaining any momentum when their desperation set in. Now if he can keep that up, there is no telling how far this BC team can go.

- After tumultuous starts to the season, and flirtations with the NCAA tourney, for both BU and Vermont this Friday's semifinal game is do-or-die for both of them. As you can see, to the right, they are both on the bubble and a loss Friday will definitively shut the door on the loser. Clarkson getting knocked out of the ECAC tourney was the worse possible outcome for BU and Vermont. Either team may actually have to win Hockey East to get in, nevermind winning Friday.

- Did you see Gerbe's penalty shot? If not go to YouTube and check it out. While you're there check out the person he was emulating, former BC standout Ryan Shannon. Shannon did the same thing in the AHL All-Star game a couple years ago and then attempted it against Marty Turco (got stoned by a great stick save) while he was with Anaheim and scored on it earlier this year against a very irate Nikolai Khabibulin (who owns one of the coolest hockey names of all time). Whether or not you think that he stopped and therefore the goal should not have counted (Cam says he stopped but it didn't really matter), it took guts to try it and great skill to actually score it. It not for his recent ice cold play, that alone could have won him the Hobey.

- Speaking of the Hobey, if Kevin Porter doesn't win it will be the biggest upset in history. He is the best player, on the best team. He leads the nation in points. He is a leader, a clean player, and someone who can change a game in an instant. With all due respect to Nathan Gerbe, Chad Kolarik, Ryan Jones, and Jeff Zatkoff none of them has done what Porter has. He has elevated his team and deserves this award to recognize that.

- Disturbing news, a Central Florida freshman WR died in practice today. There is way too much of this going on. Something isn't right. Maybe the media is covering it more but I don't think so. I think these kids put themselves through so much just to have a shot at making the big time that they overexert and in some cases take supplements (both legal and illegal) that push them beyond what their body should be doing and these deaths are a direct result. I don't know what can be done to prevent this. Medical staffs are highly trained but I think some of the things kids do to get in shape or to be faster or jump higher is not seen. It makes me question whether or not the ability to buy items like those sold in GNC stores might be making kids bulk up faster than their body is built to take it. They are still kids and someone needs to find a way to help them.

- Continuing on the scary trend front. Tom Pohl from U of Minnesota nearly lost his life when an illegal elbow took off his helmet and his head hit the boards and cracked his skull. After watching Patrice Bergeron's injury on TV and seeing other people carted off on stretchers, it seems as though the game of hockey is getting rougher and people are getting hurt more often. There is an alarming number of illegal hits and stomps (Chris Simon & Chris Pronger, I'm talking to you) that are causing or could potentially cause serious injury. Pohl was taken out by a high elbow, as we Patrice Bergeron and Andrew Alberts. In the need to get on Sportscenter and make the biggest impression, players are exceedingly trying to not just level people but knock them out. One of these times someone is not going to get up.

- More for you after the weekend. Lots of playoff hockey and basketball to watch.