NOT A MIRACLE...BUT CLOSE ENOUGH

(Picture taken from Google Images)


It was thirty years ago when the United States Olympic hockey team shocked the sporting world, or rather THE WORLD, by defeating the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Al Micheals made the play by play calls for that game, and well everyone knows of that famous line he said as the last seconds ticked away- "Do you believe in Miracles?" That game was not for the gold medal, but instead the right to play for the gold medal which the US went on to win, but that game did so much more then just entertain. It would take hours to explain why that game was so important to the people in this country during that time. I believe that personally they should have classes offered just about that game and all the back stories. If Disney can make a full length movie about that event, then sure some sort of history class should be offered to fill in the blanks that Disney was unable to.
Given that that game was thirty years ago, the new United States hockey team accomplished another great feat. For the first time since 1960 our boys have beaten our nieghbors to the north- team Canada. Even with Sid "The Kid" Crosby, arguably the games best young talent, the red, white, and blue was too much. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1960! So much has happened since that time, the invention of the Internet, the Berlin wall came down, America voted its first African American President into office, the Red Sox snapped the curse, and oooh yeah- that MIRACLE on ice. There really isn't as much of a back story, there is no evil empire to our north threatening to send nukes this way at any minute. There is no fear of the Canadians, or drills done in schools just in case they come charging. But for once we beat them in the game that made them famous. It felt pretty good to watch the despair on their faces as we beat them on their own ice. The game also put fans of the US to ease a little bit knowing that they beat one of the elite power houses of the game, and will not have to see them until the Gold Medal game if both teams make it. Canada and Russia are both thought of as the front runners to win gold. But now the toughest test between the Gold Medal game and Team USA will be the other former member of the USSR- the Czechoslovakians.

TWO FOR TUESDAY

As a huge sports enthusiast it was exciting to be in Bangor, ME last week. The girl's and boy's basketball tournament kicked off and I had a chance to check out one of the most anticipated games. It was a battle between the Minutemen of Stearns High School and the Ponies of Foxcroft Academy. Stearns came into the game with the number four seed while the Ponies were the number 5 seed. The teams had met up twice in the season each notching a win over the other on their home court. For some one who was unable to reach the tournament as a player, and also new to the area and had no clue about the hype that surrounded this event for the people of this Eastern Maine area it was quite exciting. I knew going in that I wanted to write about the event and do so in a non biased fashion, but the fan inside me found it hard not to root for the flash and speed the "visiting" Ponies showed, especially since they were considered the underdogs. The game did not disappoint, and I believe I kept my composure even though I had the Foxcroft coach's daughter behind me egging me on to root for her father's team. The first half ended with a deep two by a Pony player to put his team ahead by 1. Not to be outdone Stearns had their fans up on their seats with a 16-8 point run that saw the Ponies missing what my coach would have called "bunnies" or "gimmes". Eventually though the speed and pizazz of the Foxcroft players was too much for the Minutemen and the game was tied at 52 with only 11.9 seconds left in the 4th. At the 2.9 second mark Stearns fouled star Pony Josiah Richard sending him to the line for a 1 and 1 opportunity. Richard made both, but the pressure was evident not only on his face but by the white knuckles of the coach's daughter clenching her boyfriend's sleeve.


Both teams got some coaching during a late fourth quarter time out. (photo by Andrew Heywood)

As soon as that game ended I hurried out as fast as I could to Sawyer Arena to catch the Bangor High School hockey game that matched the Rams against the Messalonskee High School Eagles. Little did the teams know that it would be a match-up of the same teams that are playing in this weeks Class A quarterfinals for the boy's ice hockey tournament. I got there a little late, and the game was tied 2-2. I was kind of upset by this being an avid hockey fan and growing quite fond of the Rams hockey team. Late in the second period stand-out freshman Zack Papsadora. The score remained 3-2 into the third period but it didn't take long for the beating to ensue. Junior forward Joe Seccareccia to scored two third period goals. Both goals were assisted by Nic Cota. Junior Phil Frost and senior Ryan King got involved in the fun each netting a goal of there own. Bangor went on to win easily by a final score of 7-2. Will be interesting to see what will come when these two face off in the play-offs February 23 at the same arena.


The Rams and Hawks get ready for the puck to drop in the third period. (Heywood)

Slam Junk Contest

This past weekend was full of sports, enough to keep any fan happy. The Olympic games were kicked off Friday, the University of Maine men's hockey team played a two game series against Hockey East Rival Boston University, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) was on their All-Star weekend break. This years events took place at the new Cowboys Stadium and was hosted by Mark Cuban's Dallas Mavericks.
The festivities included the celebrity game where actor Michael Rapaport shut down NFL wide receiver and fellow loud mouth Terrell "T.O." Owens. Though Rapaport only had four points in the game that also included members of the Harlem Globe Trotters, he was able to keep T.O. from scoring. Owens had been the reigning two year MVP for the celebrity game.
There was also the game between the rookies and sophomores of the NBA in what is called the Rookie Challenge. The rookies were lead by Sacramento Kings' Tyreke Evans and the Milwaukee Bucks' Brandon Jennings. The sophomores were lead by two players that were big time players last year-their first year in the league- the Miami Heat's Michael Beasley and the Memphis Grizzlies' O.J. Mayo. Though the sophomore have that one year of experience under their belt they were unable to hold of the rookies by a final score of 140-128.
Other events included the game itself that was one by the East in front of 108,713 people. Now it is understandable why the NBA held this years All-Star break inside a football stadium. 108,000 may sound like a lot but you know what they say about Texas- everything is bigger in Texas. That could also be true about the slam-dunk contest.
This years slam-dunk contest was one for the third straight time by the New York Knicks' Nate Robinson. Not that it was much of a competition, he was up against Toronto Raptors' rookie DeMar DeRozan, Los Angelas Lakers' Shannon Brown, and Charlotte Bobcats' Gerald Wallace. None of whom really threw down any kind of dunk worthy of getting the Texas sized crowd of their seats. Nothing quite like the dunk Magic' big man Dwight Howard did in 2008. At one point commentators Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith were offering to go back into the locker room and lace up to show the guys how it was done. Congratulations to Dwight Howard, but it may be a long time before the Dunk Contest is held inside such a large venue. I feel bad for those who gave up a Saturday night to be there, or like me who stayed home to watch.(though it was still not as bad as trying to watch the Pro Bowl)

SUPER SUNDAY

Super Sunday-(American Holiday) a term for Super Bowl Sunday.

If Super Sunday was in the dictionary that's how it should be written in. As an American Holiday. It meets all the criteria, it's a big event where every body gets together for food, drinks, and maybe even a couple laughs. It could even be considered religious, it is on the Sabbath, and depending on how many of those drinks you had you could be on your knees praying by the end of the night.This years Super Bowl had so much more to often then most in recent years have. All the channels, papers, and reporters do a good job in finding the hidden story. Last year there was that of Larry Fitzgerald and how he was playing for his mother. This year however the stories were there as clear as day. New Orleans had Katrina, and the Colts had Pierre Garcon. (Garcon is a Haitian-American player) Of the side stories that surrounded the game that of Tim Tebow and his choice to be in a commercial was annoying. For weeks now ESPN has been going back forth over this pointless issue. "Will Tim Tebow's ad cost him his career?" What career? Yes he is a two-time National Champion, a Heisman winner, but not until June will he be a college grad. His career hasn't started, he is still a college student first. If he wants to do an ad for something he believes in, how does that make him any different then any of the washed up musicians that do commercials for animal rights. I saw nothing wrong with the ad- in fact I was really annoyed that there was so much hype. The people I watched the game with were also annoyed, the second the ad came on you could have heard a pin drop, and for moments after too since no one knew what to say. Why couldn't ESPN focus more on the real issues that are out there. How about doing more for the people of New Orleans who are still trying to get their feet under them from Katrina. There was some of this, but why was their no ad asking for people to send money or give assistance. Pierre Garcon had the weight of Haiti on his shoulders. For days Garcon was like many, unable to get a hold his family. If ESPN can show the story, why can't they give a way for viewers to donate and lend a hand? I'll take a second to do it, here is a link to help. Click for KATRINA or for HAITI. After all they say it is good to share on holidays.


BY THE WAY...SAINTS WON...31-17

X-Games Good For Winter Olympics

With the Winter Olympics scheduled to start 10 days from now the excitement is starting to pick up, especially in the extreme sports. The Winter X-Games deserve a lot of the credit for that. The three day competition included some of the same events that will be held in Vancouver starting the 12th. Not only are some of the events the same but a lot of the competitors will be the same. The Winter X-Games in Aspen made a great practice stage for those going to the Winter Olympics. Though the pressure to win gold in Vancouver while representing your country is greater, athletes were still giving it their all in Aspen. The Flying Tomato Shaun White, who has a Midas touch of sorts in which every mountain he touches helps him get gold, nearly suffered a concussion during the X-Games. If you haven't seen the YouTube video, White crashed his face of the lip of the snowboard super pipe during a practice run. One would think after a crash that hard that he would be unable to finish the competition, especially so close to the Winter Games. Yahoo! Sports has White as being one of the stars to watch at Vancouver-though anyone who is going to watch will know that as soon as he takes the mountain. White did come back though, and with vengeance to nail a Double McTwist 1260 in route to winning his third straight gold medal. There were others at Winter X not named Shaun White, in the woman's competitions 24 year-old American Lindsey Jacobellis won her third straight gold in the Snowboard Snow Cross event. Jacobellis also won silver in that event at the 2006 Winter Games.
With the events so close together it is hard not to look for more after only 3 days of competition in Aspen. Very frequently the play by play on ESPN brought up that very point, as well as many of the interviewed athletes. I know I am ready for more, and after seeing what was displayed last weekend- BRING ON VANCOUVER!