Martin Straka who is known for his offense not defensive skills, stood up to the puck, risking every inch of his 5-foot-9 body. He did not even have a stick to defend him. The first shot from Devils defenseman Karel Rachunek shattered Straka’s stick. The second one caught him on the ankle, which is very painful. I know from personal experience since I play hockey myself. Straka was in so much pain, he was not even sure where the shot ricocheted off his body.
Any one of those shots could’ve turned into the goal that could have stretched the Rangers losing streak to 4. It would have also stretched the Devils winning streak to 10. But that didn't happen. Instead Rangers forward, Brendan Shanahan, ripped a shot past Martin Brodeur 30 seconds into overtime. Breaking a scoreless tie and giving the Rangers a 1-0 victory. Those three blocked shot were very important plays during the game. It made Lundqvist's job a whole lot easier when it was a time that the Rangers were shorthanded. The goalie was getting bombarded with shots and he continued to make the saves. During the blocked shots, Lundqvist was getting screen and was unable to see the shots. Straka just rejoined the team after breaking a finger keeping him out for a month. He was lucky he did not break something else. During the Rangers skid, they had been outscored 14-4 in the three games. These blocked shot were very important to the game and possibly helped the Rangers preserve a win.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Going Out On Top
After left-hooking Ricky Hatton back to the U.K., I feel it is time for Mayweather to hang up the gloves. Leave the game as one of the best pound for pound boxers ever seen. I feel he has nothing left to prove. But that won't happen because in this era of professional sports no one can walk away at the perfect time. I think the reason that they never do is because the true susperstars always feel that they have something else left in the tank.
At 39-0, Floyd Mayweather has the chance to be remembered as one of the undisputed pound-for-pound best ever in his sport. And he did say after the fight, "I've done all I could do in this sport, so I'm not thinking about fighting anybody else. I've accomplished my last goal" and promises that "I will never let boxing retire me,"(taken from an article on espn.com). The money, pride and ego of Mayweather will probably cause Mayweather not to retire right away. He should not turn his career into a replica of Michael Jordan or even Julio Franco. Go out as a champion very few still do these days.
At 39-0, Floyd Mayweather has the chance to be remembered as one of the undisputed pound-for-pound best ever in his sport. And he did say after the fight, "I've done all I could do in this sport, so I'm not thinking about fighting anybody else. I've accomplished my last goal" and promises that "I will never let boxing retire me,"(taken from an article on espn.com). The money, pride and ego of Mayweather will probably cause Mayweather not to retire right away. He should not turn his career into a replica of Michael Jordan or even Julio Franco. Go out as a champion very few still do these days.
Hometown Fan Favorite Goes to D.C.
Paul Lo Duca is now the former Mets catcher but is still staying in the National League East. He and the Washington Nationals agreed to a one-year contract. Lo Duca, 35, had been the Mets' starting catcher the past two seasons but the team disliked the distraction Lo Duca brought onto the team and also felt that he was out of his prime. So the team decided not to keep him for a third season. The Mets also dealt outfielder Lastings Milledge to Washington for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church in return. Lo Duca will have the role of tutor. As Washington plans to make Jesus Flores the starter, who is considered Washington's catcher of the future, Lo Duca will be the veteran back-up.
After a stellar 2006 season in which he hit .318 and helped the Mets reach the National League Championship Series, Lo Duca battled injuries in 2007 and slumped to .272. In Lo Duca's 11-year major league career, he is an overall .288 carrer hitter. He began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and also played for Florida for a year. The Italian catcher was a hometown favorite with the fan since he was raised in Brooklyn. He always played through injury and is a real gritty player. I still think he has some left in the tank and will have a few more productive season with Washington.
After a stellar 2006 season in which he hit .318 and helped the Mets reach the National League Championship Series, Lo Duca battled injuries in 2007 and slumped to .272. In Lo Duca's 11-year major league career, he is an overall .288 carrer hitter. He began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and also played for Florida for a year. The Italian catcher was a hometown favorite with the fan since he was raised in Brooklyn. He always played through injury and is a real gritty player. I still think he has some left in the tank and will have a few more productive season with Washington.
Another Baseball Star Confesses
David Segui who is a retired first baseman admitted Monday that he used steroids and purchased shipments from a former New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski. Segui used human growth hormones with a prescription. He told the newspaper that he refused to talk to former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, whose performance-enhancing drugs report is expected Thursday. Segui said he didn't want to betray the trust of other players.
In a quote from an article on espn.com, "I have nothing to hide. I have no problem talking about what I have done," said Segui. "But I never want any other players to think I was out there talking about their business. Because I do know a lot, but people have told me things in confidence and I don't want to be spreading that." Segui spent eight of the 15 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.
Segui met Radomski after the Mets traded for the exceptional first baseman in 1994. They became close and are still phone buddies. They talk several times a week about fishing and about their families. At first, Radomski helped Segui with weightlifting and nutrition. Eventually, Segui started to pay for different products like legal supplements, workout gear, steroids and clenbuterol, and an asthma drug that is supposed to melt body fat and is banned from baseball.
In a quote from an article on espn.com, "I have nothing to hide. I have no problem talking about what I have done," said Segui. "But I never want any other players to think I was out there talking about their business. Because I do know a lot, but people have told me things in confidence and I don't want to be spreading that." Segui spent eight of the 15 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.
Segui met Radomski after the Mets traded for the exceptional first baseman in 1994. They became close and are still phone buddies. They talk several times a week about fishing and about their families. At first, Radomski helped Segui with weightlifting and nutrition. Eventually, Segui started to pay for different products like legal supplements, workout gear, steroids and clenbuterol, and an asthma drug that is supposed to melt body fat and is banned from baseball.
Former No.1 Pick will Need Season Ending Surgery
San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Alex Smith will undergo surgery on his right shoulder. Ending a disappointing season for the San Francisco 49ers' former No. 1 overall draft pick.
The dicision was announced late Monday night after Smith's latest doctor visit with Dr. James Andrews and team doctors. The emerging quarterback had been battling a separated shoulder foe more than two months. Smith will be placed on injured reserve this week.
The backup for San Francisco, Trent Dilfer, will likely be unavailable for next Saturday's home game against Cincinnati. Dilfer is also banged up with a concussion he sustained in Sunday's loss to Minnesota. Shaun Hill, a six-year veteran backup who had never attempted an NFL pass before going 22-of-27 for 181 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, is expected to start against the Bengals.
Smith has still hasn't recovered from getting sacked by Seattle's Rocky Bernard on the third play of a game on September 30. First he sat out two games, then returned for three games and did not produce. The last four games he has been taking out complaining about shoulder soreness and forearm stiffness.
The surgery, which hasn't yet been scheduled, and the expected three months of recovery will improve the weakened connection between the collarbone and the shoulder. Smith was just completing 48.7 percent of his passed for 914 yards, two touchdowns along with 4 interceptions.
I feel this is a terrible way to end what already has been a rough third season for the former No.1 pick. He has great potential but the injury was far to serious to be able to play through. Hopefully, he will recover from surgery and be ready for next season.
The dicision was announced late Monday night after Smith's latest doctor visit with Dr. James Andrews and team doctors. The emerging quarterback had been battling a separated shoulder foe more than two months. Smith will be placed on injured reserve this week.
The backup for San Francisco, Trent Dilfer, will likely be unavailable for next Saturday's home game against Cincinnati. Dilfer is also banged up with a concussion he sustained in Sunday's loss to Minnesota. Shaun Hill, a six-year veteran backup who had never attempted an NFL pass before going 22-of-27 for 181 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, is expected to start against the Bengals.
Smith has still hasn't recovered from getting sacked by Seattle's Rocky Bernard on the third play of a game on September 30. First he sat out two games, then returned for three games and did not produce. The last four games he has been taking out complaining about shoulder soreness and forearm stiffness.
The surgery, which hasn't yet been scheduled, and the expected three months of recovery will improve the weakened connection between the collarbone and the shoulder. Smith was just completing 48.7 percent of his passed for 914 yards, two touchdowns along with 4 interceptions.
I feel this is a terrible way to end what already has been a rough third season for the former No.1 pick. He has great potential but the injury was far to serious to be able to play through. Hopefully, he will recover from surgery and be ready for next season.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Knick Pay Hefty Settlement in Sexual Harrassment Charges
New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden reached an $11.5 million settlement of the sexual harassment case brought by Anucha Brown Sanders, a former team executive.
As Anucha Browne Sanders was preparing to return to U.S. District Court in Manhattan, that Monday the deal was done. Her description of her the whole incident with the Knicks exposing the club's tawdry side, from its dysfunctional clubhouse to the sexual exploits of star Stephon Marbury with an intern. She was awarded $11.6 million in punitive damages by a jury. This deal replaces that.
The case was scheduled to start up again this week before U.S. District Judge Gerard E. Lynch. The judge was deciding how much Browne Sanders was owed in compensatory damages. A payout that usually involves lost wages and future loss of income. By settling the Kincks avoid huge legal fees that they might have been ordered to pay. But instead, Browne Sanders gets her money faster and possibly having her award reduced on appeal.
As Anucha Browne Sanders was preparing to return to U.S. District Court in Manhattan, that Monday the deal was done. Her description of her the whole incident with the Knicks exposing the club's tawdry side, from its dysfunctional clubhouse to the sexual exploits of star Stephon Marbury with an intern. She was awarded $11.6 million in punitive damages by a jury. This deal replaces that.
The case was scheduled to start up again this week before U.S. District Judge Gerard E. Lynch. The judge was deciding how much Browne Sanders was owed in compensatory damages. A payout that usually involves lost wages and future loss of income. By settling the Kincks avoid huge legal fees that they might have been ordered to pay. But instead, Browne Sanders gets her money faster and possibly having her award reduced on appeal.
Penguins Start Getting Hot
The Penguins were a little disappointed with Sidney Crosby's first NHL trip to Western Canada. The suddenly hot Penguins won all three games, two to crucial shootouts. During the Vancouver game, Crosby had a chance to ice the Canucks with an overtime penalty shot. Defenseman Aaron Miller of the Vancouver Canucks made a diving attempt to stop a streaking Crosby. Crosby still got the shot off but, the scoring chance was significantly altered. The referees Tom Kowal and Chris Lee awarded Crosby a penalty shot. The team captain made a terrific backhand-to-forehand move, but the Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo made a terrific save. Crosby had a second chance to score on Luongo in the shootout, he was yet again denied. Penguins rookie defenseman Kris Letang, who is a shootout wiz, managed to beat Luongo to clinch the victory. After an 8-11-2 start, Pittsburgh has won seven of its last eight games.
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