Early last season, Hockey East teams struggled out of the gate against non-conference opponents and many doubted the strength of the league. They only got two teams into the tournament (BC & UNH) after consecutive years of two teams in the Frozen Four. Though BC did win the title last year many still felt that Hockey East as a whole was not a strong league. That appears to have changed to start this year.
As of yesterday's poll, Hockey East as 4 teams ranked in the top 10, more than any other conference (3 WCHA, 2 CCHA, & 1 ECAC). Northeastern, of all teams, is undefeated with a victory over BC to its credit (even if the puddles helped) and BU is coming off a thorough destruction of #8 Michigan.
As much as this writer hates to admit it, should they stay healthy, BU is ready for a run this year. The past few years, BU has consistently been stocking up on top level defensemen (Gilroy, Shattenkirk, Warsofsky) and they have a special talent in Colin Wilson. There big question seemed to be in net and both Rollheiser (1.51 GAA) and Millan (1.67 GAA) have played well to start the season giving BU a consistency they lacked last year which probably cost them a spot in the tournament.
It's still early and the teams are still gelling. Freshmen are still learning the college game and still getting adjusted to playing with their new teammates. Lucky for all of us college hockey fans, BC does not face the resurgent BU until Dec 5th. By then, both teams should be hitting their mid-season stride. Both are top-notch teams this year with dreams of hanging another national title banner. The next edition of the Battle for the Green Line should be a great one.
As these teams go it seems so goes Hockey East. UNH is strong again and having seen Vermont in person and knowing the quality that Enrico Blasi at Miami (OH) puts on the ice (Vermont beat and tied Miami two weekends ago), the Catamounts are not to be counted out this year either. With both UMass and UMass-Lowell also receiving votes in the rankings, its easy to see that Hockey East is once again a force in college hockey.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Deserving winner
After so many gut-wrenching painful losses by my teams over the last few years (Aaron Boone in 2003, Peter Harrold (BC) hits the pipe in 2006, Brian Boyle (BC) fails in 5-3 situation in 2007, the Super Bowl helmet catch in 2008), it didn't hurt as much when the Red Sox lost last night. The Rays outplayed them for much of the series and Sox fans should be happy with the ability of this team to collect itself after games 2 and 3 to even force a game 7. I'll say it, the Rays were the better team this year. Garza outpitched Lester last night and the best team in the AL all season long is going to the World Series where they belong. I'm sure that I will be with a lot of other people rooting for the Rays to beat the Phillies. I have nothing against the Phillies, I just think that what this Rays team has done this year is something special and it would be great for them to finish it off with the ultimate prize.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Another one for Hockey
I'm a fair weather sports watcher. Mind you this is not the same as a fair weather fan. A fair weather fan only supports his team when they are doing well and pays no attention to them when the struggle. That is not me. I am a fair weather sports watcher. I have trouble watching the broadcasts of my favorite teams when they are struggling. This is a habit I picked up from Old Man Pike.
This has become much easier in this day and age of the "flip" button on your remote control. You're watching a football game and a big touchdown is called back for holding you can quickly hit that "flip" button and watch another game on or some other program. When I watch my favorite teams I always have to have a back-up program selected so that should something go wrong I can hit the flip and turn on to my alternate viewing.
I bring this up because I realized that with the success of the Celtics last year all but one of my favorite teams have won a title not only in my lifetime but in a time frame that I can actually remember (yes, I am including the Revolution's SuperLiga victory). The one glaring exception has been the Bruins. As you will note on my grid to the right, the Bruins are second only to the alma mater for my love and devotion. Being at Cam Neely's number retirement ceremony a few years ago was one of the most religious experiences of my sports life. It rivals Albany in 2001 and Denver in 2008 (BC hockey national titles for those of you not in the know).
I realized that when the Red Sox won World Series back in 2004, I barely watched the ALCS. I did not watch a single pitch of games 4 and 5 because I did not want to watch the Yankees celebrating at Fenway. Let's face it, being down 3-0, no one but the Sox themselves thought they were going to come back. Games 6 and 7 were notorious flipathons were I was watching more of my back up programs than the actual game.
It got me to thinking how I would react if the Bruins were playing for the Stanley Cup. Last year when they were playing the Canadiens, I watched every minute of the games that I was able to see (being in Denver during games 1 and 2 put a crimp in that) and though I would flip during lulls in play there was not much flipping during actual playtime (with the exception of game 7 once Montreal had firmly put it away). There is something about hockey that you don't get with football, baseball, or basketball which makes it more watchable even when you team is losing. Its the fact that at any minute the game can turn with a goal that makes all the difference.
In football, poor series on offense or defense can lead to increased viewer frustration and you can get a feel of how a game is going and know that your team just doesn't have it that day no matter how close the score is. In baseball, there is a defined period of time when you know your team cannot improve the score of the game and things can only get worse when the other team is batting. In basketball, the ups and downs of the scoring are what make the game both very thrilling and very heart-wrenching at the same time. But with hockey, this is not the case.
In hockey, your team can be playing miserable for the most part but if your goalie is on, one break can still lead to the 1-0 victory. At any second, possession can change and the team with the scoring opportunity suddenly becomes the team who just let up a goal. And with the limited about of scoring, the lead usually doesn't shift 5 times over 5 minutes. The anticipation of what will happen next keeps you watching. And it keeps me watching even when the Bruins or Eagles are trailing because as a fan I believe that they can get that one or two more goals to tie it up or take the lead. When the Red Sox trail a dominant pitcher by 2 runs late in the game you doubt the ability to win the game because you have watched them struggle all night. When the Bruins trail by a goal even with 1 minute to play, you know that one lucky bounce sends the game to overtime.
The joy of hockey is the unpredictability. This is what keep me watching even when my team is struggling. You never know when the momentum can turn and bring victory. Thank God hockey is back!
This has become much easier in this day and age of the "flip" button on your remote control. You're watching a football game and a big touchdown is called back for holding you can quickly hit that "flip" button and watch another game on or some other program. When I watch my favorite teams I always have to have a back-up program selected so that should something go wrong I can hit the flip and turn on to my alternate viewing.
I bring this up because I realized that with the success of the Celtics last year all but one of my favorite teams have won a title not only in my lifetime but in a time frame that I can actually remember (yes, I am including the Revolution's SuperLiga victory). The one glaring exception has been the Bruins. As you will note on my grid to the right, the Bruins are second only to the alma mater for my love and devotion. Being at Cam Neely's number retirement ceremony a few years ago was one of the most religious experiences of my sports life. It rivals Albany in 2001 and Denver in 2008 (BC hockey national titles for those of you not in the know).
I realized that when the Red Sox won World Series back in 2004, I barely watched the ALCS. I did not watch a single pitch of games 4 and 5 because I did not want to watch the Yankees celebrating at Fenway. Let's face it, being down 3-0, no one but the Sox themselves thought they were going to come back. Games 6 and 7 were notorious flipathons were I was watching more of my back up programs than the actual game.
It got me to thinking how I would react if the Bruins were playing for the Stanley Cup. Last year when they were playing the Canadiens, I watched every minute of the games that I was able to see (being in Denver during games 1 and 2 put a crimp in that) and though I would flip during lulls in play there was not much flipping during actual playtime (with the exception of game 7 once Montreal had firmly put it away). There is something about hockey that you don't get with football, baseball, or basketball which makes it more watchable even when you team is losing. Its the fact that at any minute the game can turn with a goal that makes all the difference.
In football, poor series on offense or defense can lead to increased viewer frustration and you can get a feel of how a game is going and know that your team just doesn't have it that day no matter how close the score is. In baseball, there is a defined period of time when you know your team cannot improve the score of the game and things can only get worse when the other team is batting. In basketball, the ups and downs of the scoring are what make the game both very thrilling and very heart-wrenching at the same time. But with hockey, this is not the case.
In hockey, your team can be playing miserable for the most part but if your goalie is on, one break can still lead to the 1-0 victory. At any second, possession can change and the team with the scoring opportunity suddenly becomes the team who just let up a goal. And with the limited about of scoring, the lead usually doesn't shift 5 times over 5 minutes. The anticipation of what will happen next keeps you watching. And it keeps me watching even when the Bruins or Eagles are trailing because as a fan I believe that they can get that one or two more goals to tie it up or take the lead. When the Red Sox trail a dominant pitcher by 2 runs late in the game you doubt the ability to win the game because you have watched them struggle all night. When the Bruins trail by a goal even with 1 minute to play, you know that one lucky bounce sends the game to overtime.
The joy of hockey is the unpredictability. This is what keep me watching even when my team is struggling. You never know when the momentum can turn and bring victory. Thank God hockey is back!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Another ALCS
Another late night and another thrilling victory for the Red Sox. This series was not for the feint of heart. 4-1, 7-5, 5-4, and 3-2. Every game was close and every game saw runs scored in the final inning with three of them being decided by those runs. There were base runners all over the place and neither team seemed to want to bring them in to open games up. The Angels felt like they were the better team and just couldn't get it done. And now the Sox head to Tampa Bay (am I the only one who finds it incredibly strange to write the rest of this sentence) to start the 2008 ALCS.
The faith that Terry Francona puts into Justin Masterson has not cost them quite yet but it might. In game 2, Masterson allowed the tying runs that made the game 5-5 in the 8th inning. J.D. Drew made the point moot however with a clutch 2-run homer in the 9th. He was sharp in game 3 but last night once again was victimized and allowed the game tying hit as well as a lead off double in the 9th. If not for some questionable play calling by Mike Scioscia (a squeeze?? really?? with the season on the line??), there's no telling how last evening might have ended because a 3-2 lead for Anaheim means bringing in the pitcher with the record for saves in a season. That makes two blown leads by Justin Masterson in 4 games (and an interesting outing in game 1 thrown in).
Don't get me wrong, I like the kid and think that he is a great pitcher with a lot of promise. But Friday night he walked in the game tying run. That's the pressure getting to him. Last night, he came in to face the hottest hitter in the Anaheim line-up who accounted for 5 of the 8 hits the Angels got with runners in scoring position in the whole series. He failed to come through and had to be lifted in the 9th with the game on the line after allowing the lead off double. I'm just not convinced this kid is ready of the pressure. He was pitching AA earlier this year. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. As those who have watched the Sox playoff runs of the past know, Francona tends to ride a couple guys throughout the playoffs (see Alan Embree & Mike Timlin). For Red Sox fans, I hope he doesn't trot Masterson out there one too many times.
The faith that Terry Francona puts into Justin Masterson has not cost them quite yet but it might. In game 2, Masterson allowed the tying runs that made the game 5-5 in the 8th inning. J.D. Drew made the point moot however with a clutch 2-run homer in the 9th. He was sharp in game 3 but last night once again was victimized and allowed the game tying hit as well as a lead off double in the 9th. If not for some questionable play calling by Mike Scioscia (a squeeze?? really?? with the season on the line??), there's no telling how last evening might have ended because a 3-2 lead for Anaheim means bringing in the pitcher with the record for saves in a season. That makes two blown leads by Justin Masterson in 4 games (and an interesting outing in game 1 thrown in).
Don't get me wrong, I like the kid and think that he is a great pitcher with a lot of promise. But Friday night he walked in the game tying run. That's the pressure getting to him. Last night, he came in to face the hottest hitter in the Anaheim line-up who accounted for 5 of the 8 hits the Angels got with runners in scoring position in the whole series. He failed to come through and had to be lifted in the 9th with the game on the line after allowing the lead off double. I'm just not convinced this kid is ready of the pressure. He was pitching AA earlier this year. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. As those who have watched the Sox playoff runs of the past know, Francona tends to ride a couple guys throughout the playoffs (see Alan Embree & Mike Timlin). For Red Sox fans, I hope he doesn't trot Masterson out there one too many times.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Analysis Overload
My job is one of supply and demand. When there is not much demand for the particular service I provide for my company than I'm under no pressure to supply anything. So what fills my days during these low demand days are reading news on the web. As can probably tell, it's mostly sports news and these stories (combined with the watching of actual events I do) provide the ideas from which the Rant flows.
My two favorite sports are college football and hockey (college, NHL, AHL, high school - does it really matter?). So this time of year is particularly enjoyable for me. My weeks during college football season for reading material are nicely marked out on ESPN.com. Gameday Final & On the Mark on Mondays with a look at the Power Rankings. Forde-Yard-Dash, the Heisman Watch and the Bottom 10 on Tuesdays. I-Formation on Wednesdays. Chris Fowler's preview on Thursday. Gameday Kickoff on Friday. With the coming of blogging, mixed in with those is a perusal of different conference blogs just to see if there are any nuggets of knowledge. This gives me plenty to read and digest during the week preparing for another Saturday of fun.
This week there has been an added bonus. NHL & NCAA hockey previews. ESPN.com has been running a division preview a day this week and Insidecollegehockey.com has begun their conference previews and I'm sure USCHO won't be far behind. It's almost too much to take in and yet somehow I manage. Pages and pages of insight and prognostication all aimed at getting people psyched up for the seasons about to begin (not that I need that much psyching up to get ready for another Bruins season and a national title defense for the Eagles).
I am in overload and loving every minute of it. And the Red Sox start the playoffs tonight. Bring it on.
My two favorite sports are college football and hockey (college, NHL, AHL, high school - does it really matter?). So this time of year is particularly enjoyable for me. My weeks during college football season for reading material are nicely marked out on ESPN.com. Gameday Final & On the Mark on Mondays with a look at the Power Rankings. Forde-Yard-Dash, the Heisman Watch and the Bottom 10 on Tuesdays. I-Formation on Wednesdays. Chris Fowler's preview on Thursday. Gameday Kickoff on Friday. With the coming of blogging, mixed in with those is a perusal of different conference blogs just to see if there are any nuggets of knowledge. This gives me plenty to read and digest during the week preparing for another Saturday of fun.
This week there has been an added bonus. NHL & NCAA hockey previews. ESPN.com has been running a division preview a day this week and Insidecollegehockey.com has begun their conference previews and I'm sure USCHO won't be far behind. It's almost too much to take in and yet somehow I manage. Pages and pages of insight and prognostication all aimed at getting people psyched up for the seasons about to begin (not that I need that much psyching up to get ready for another Bruins season and a national title defense for the Eagles).
I am in overload and loving every minute of it. And the Red Sox start the playoffs tonight. Bring it on.
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