New Podcast!

http://thesanpodcast.podbean.com/

Check it out!

The NHL Playoffs are in full swing! I really didn’t give you any picks for this round, but let’s take a look at how the series are going in the East!

The New York Rangers vs The Ottawa Senators

Where are they?

This exciting series has been a lot closer than the 1-8 matchup it was billed as. In the first game it looked like this series would be a blow out.  Four straight goals by the Rangers put them at a great advantage, but Ottawa added two late ones to make the 4-2 loss feel a bit better. Ottawa would have their revenge in the second game edging the Rangers 3-2 in overtime. Never the less, the Rangers would notch a late goal in the third game to take the 2-1 series lead.

Where do they go from here?

I have to go with the Rangers in this series winning 4-2. I think Henrik Lundqvist will continue to be stellar in the net. He’s only allowing 1.66 goals per game and he seems to be getting better as the series goes on. The Rangers also have the hot hand in the series; in three three games played so far, Brian Boyle has averaged a goal a game. I still don’t think the Sens have had their last win of the year though. I see them rising up in game five to send the series back to Ottawa were they will ultimately lose it.

The Boston Bruins vs The Washington Capitals

Where are they?

This series might be the most enthralling of all the series so far. They have played three games, gone to overtime twice, and each game has been won by a single goal. The first game was won by Boston on a single goal by Chris Kelly. In game two the Caps repaid the favor by shocking the reigning champions at home in a similar fashion. As the series traveled to Washington, so did the goals. Boston would rebound after being down a goal early to win 4-3 and take the 2-1 series lead.

Where do they go from here?

The Boston Bruins will win this series in 7. Washington has been playing playoff hockey for weeks due to the fact that they were on the bubble. Though they don’t have the talent, they have the momentum. As for Boston, I feel that Tim Thomas’ .943 save percentage will be the difference. His experience of winning in clutch situations will take the Bruins to the next level.

The Florida Panthers vs The New Jersey Devils

Where are they?

This series, like many of the others, is a close one. A lot of people thought that the Panthers would be an easy match for the Devils; they were wrong. The Devils would get the first laugh by putting up three quick goals in the first period and went on to win 3-2. With a severe sense of urgency, Florida took the ice in game two and dominated for most of the game. The 4-2 win for the Panthers would give them the momentum heading to New Jersey. In the very recent game three, the Devils once again grabbed the early lead, but they would quickly be outmatched. After the 4-3 win, the Panthers now lead the series 2-1.

Where do they go from here?

I had some difficulty with this one. Both teams had goalie troubles in the last game, but I have to give the edge to Martin Brodeur. He showed more promise in this last game. The Panthers may have issues in the goalie game though. Jose Theodore was rocked early and often in New Jersey. He let in a Zach Parise wrist shot 33 seconds into the game and only saved half of the shots he saw. Brodeur will respond in the upcoming games and I see his Devils winning the series in 7.

The Pittsburgh Penguins vs The Philadelphia Flyers

Where are they?

If you thought this is where this series was going to be after three games, you’re a liar. Playoff hockey doesn't score like this. 8-4? 8-5? That’s crazy. Game one wasn’t as high scoring (in comparison), but it did establish the mood of this series. The Penguins looked like they had the game locked up with a 3-0 lead, by Philly flew back to win 4-3 in OT. Game two started off the same. The Pens had a huge lead, but the Flyers offense was just too potent. Philly would go on to win 8-5. The Penguins needed another good start in Philadelphia, but they wouldn’t get it. The Flyers scored four in the first and buried the Pens for the rest of the game. They would reach the 8 goal plateau again and would take the 3-0 series lead.

Where do they go from here?

The Penguins are going to play their last game this Wednesday; the Flyers are that good. Claude Giroux is a one man wrecking crew. His four goals and four assists lead all players in the NHL and even if he cools off, the Flyers still have Danny Briere and Matt Reed. The Penguins on the other hand haven’t been able to keep the puck out of their net and knowing Marc Andre Fleurry, that won’t change. The Flyers win a high scoring affair and move on to the next round.

Thanks for reading!

The MLS: A Rising League

It isn’t easy liking soccer in the US. My whole life I have been interested in the beautiful game though living in a total dead zone for soccer. I remember my first kicks as a young child and the ecstasy of my first goal; the sport truly had me hooked. Naturally, I stayed interested my entire life and eventually looked for favorite teams to cheer for. I quickly gravitated to the bigger European leagues because that’s where the “elite” players played. Teams like Chelsea, Celtic, and Inter Milan filled my interests as quickly as their chants filled my lungs. Not once did I think of teams like DC United or the LA Galaxy. The MLS just seemed to be cheesy to me. I never saw them as a Professional league, but in the summer of 2009 that all changed.

                In 2009, there was a soccer team that sent shock waves though the MLS. The Seattle Sounders were brought into the league and their raucous fans entered with them. I remember the night when I first saw this new, rave green clad team. I could have sworn that they were playing in some European stadium in some far off country, but no; they were in Seattle. This blew my mind. There was the constant chanting, beating of drums, and raising of scarves. It was everything I wanted in soccer. This quickly ignited one of the most passionate dedications to a team that I had ever felt. Instead of dreaming of visiting Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (I still would mind it!), I had dreams of heading to Century Link Field and cheering on my Sounders. I could feel it; the soccer spring was well on its way.

                It didn’t take long for the MLS to expand to more teams with more passionate fans. Soon the likes of the Rose City Supporters (Portland Timbers) and many other fan bases around the league were starting to sound like the Sounders. Teams now had huge, dedicated fan bases that brought banners and flags to the game. It was truly a thing a beauty.  It wasn’t until last week’s Sporting KC-LA Galaxy game that I truly saw the new horizon of soccer in the US. The game was in Kansas City and I was expecting a small crowd of soccer moms clad in Kansas City Royals gear trying to get their children to pay attention to the game they got to come to for free. What I actually saw was the complete opposite. The scene in Kansas City was Sounders Midwest. The “Blue Hell” brought the thunder and really made the atmosphere a memorable one. I couldn’t believe that the team I had seen playing in a minor league park only a few years ago was now getting cheered on in such numbers.

                The moral of this story is that the MLS is here and it is on its way. Many of you may not be zeroed in on the soccer revolution that has taken the nation by storm, but you better get ready. Every day the soccer community is growing, so I encourage all of you to try to watch a game soon. You might say things like “It’s boring” or “These guys aren’t athletes”, but I assure you if you give it a chance you can get hooked. If you ever get the chance you should definitely go to a game. If you don’t have a good time for the 90 minutes you’re there, there’s something wrong with you.

                Maybe you just think this is just a seasoned soccer fan standing on his soap box or maybe you don’t, but thank you for listening to my rant. 

NL Picks

My National League picks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQf5Evc4Wzs

And last but not least, my prediction for the World Series!

I have the Angels over the Yankees in five in the ALCS and the Phillies over the Giants in six in the NLCS.

That gives us an Angels Phillies World Series with the Angels winning in 6.

Thanks for watching!

The First of Many

The First of Many

There is the podcast folks! My ipad screwed up so there is only a nugget of goodness, but we will have more coming your way soon!

Podcast!

This was the big announcement! I'm making a podcast!

Here is the test!

http://thesanpodcast.podbean.com/

                Half way through March, there were 68 teams in contention for the NCAA Men’s Basketball title. Now, there are two. Both Kentucky and Kansas have fought their way through many great teams and my picks. I would like to think I was bulletin board material for both of these teams as they entered their games this Saturday, but I’m sure that wasn’t the case. Now these two historic programs face off in the Big Easy in front of one of the biggest crowds they will have seen all year.

                It was only four years ago that John Calipari lost in the National Championship to Kansas. With another group of fabulous freshmen at Kentucky, it is his turn once again to see if he could reach the pinnacle of excellence.  Like I’ve said before, Kentucky lives and dies though the play of Anthony Davis. This freshman has truly been the player of the year with his play on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. On offense, Davis has averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. His 18 points and 14 rebounds against Louisville continue to show fans what he brings to the floor every night. On the other side of the ball, his blocking ability is supreme. With an average of 4.6 blocks game, Davis has continued his dominance by recording 23 blocks in 5 games.

                Davis isn’t the only big man for the Wildcats. Michael Kidd-Glichrist also keeps opponents out of the paint with his 7.5 rebounds per game and chips in on the other side of the ball with an 11.9 point average. The Kentucky talent doesn’t stop there; I could go on for paragraphs writing about Doron Lamb, Marquis Teague, and all the other great Wildcat underclassmen, but with a great team like Kansas, there just isn’t enough time for that.

                Kansas has been around the top of the rankings all year, but they have never really been considered a huge title threat. While all the focus has been on Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State, and Syracuse, the Jay Hawks have gone 32-6 and have been drawing a lot of attention as of late. After squeaking past Purdue and North Carolina State, they blew past North Carolina. That game was such a defining moment for the Jay Hawks. It was like the proverbial curtain had been lifted and everyone could see the great team that was and still is Kansas.

                Just like Kentucky, Kansas has a big man. Thomas Robinson is a 6’10 junior who averages nearly 18 points per game and grabs nearly 12 rebounds a contest as well. He has been the driving force behind the Jay Hawks this season. He is sure to score since he has put up double digits in every one of his tournament games this year. With his explosiveness in the paint, he will pose a great threat to the Kentucky big men. When the post game doesn’t seem to be working, Kansas turns to their senior guard, Tyshawn Taylor. He has been the main man for running the offensive attack and is the Jay Hawks second scoring option. He has been pretty proficient from the three point line this season, but he has yet to hit one in the tourney. I expect that to change this week.

                When Kansas and Kentucky meet, sparks will fly. The battle will be won in the trenches around the paint. It is really hard for me to pick because both teams have such a great post game, but Kentucky is playing on a completely different level at the moment. Also, Kansas struggled against Jared Sullinger when they played the Buckeyes. You need post play to beat post play and Kentucky has it. I see the Wildcats beating the Jay Hawks 70-64.

Thanks for reading!