AROUND MEN’S CLUB HOCKEY (February)

As we near the conclusion of the 2012-2013 club regular season, here is the breakdown of the teams surrounding Western New York.

NIAGARA-

The Purple Eagles secured the NECHL (Northeast Collegiate Hockey League) conference title in their first season in the division, following an 8-3 victory over Binghamton University back on February 9. Niagara has automatically qualified for the ACHA Division I National Tournament and will have their opponent announced on the selection webcast this Wednesday. 

Goaltending has been the calling card for the Purple Eagles’ success this season. Senior goaltender  Dane Wakefield is 15-5 with a 2.82 GAA and a .920SV% on the year. 

UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO-

The UB Bulls barely missed the cut for the 20-team National Tournament, finishing 21st.   Even though the Bulls (24-4-8) finished with a better record than rival Niagara (20-8) in the NECHL, the Purple Eagles earned more points in the rankings to finish in the 20th and final spot.

With seniors Matt Ganci (22G 29A 51PTS) Ben Lantz (15G 28A 43PTS), and Chris Covel (20G 19A 39PTS) leaving the Bulls after this season, they have sophomore studs Michael Schalberg (15G 30A 45PTS) and Brenden Robinson (19G 23A 42PTS) to remedy the loss of three of the team’s top five scorers this season. 

The Bulls begin conference postseason play on February 23rd at the Northtown Center at Amherst at 8PM.

RIT-

For the Tigers, their 5-20-1 campaign could be targeted by their goaltending issues throughout the season. R.I.T finished last in the NECHL in goals against with 149, followed by St. Bonaventure with 111. All three goaltenders combined for a 5.34 GAA and a .840SV%. 

Junior Dirk Thur led the team in scoring this season with 37 points (13G 24A). Thur, a transfer from Erie Community College, scored more points this season than his three years at ECC combined. 

ST. BONAVENTURE-

With a 7-11 record this season, the Bonnies were eliminated from playoff contention after losing to last place Cortland on February 9th. 

Webster, NY native Mike Iulianello led the team in scoring with 32 points (15G 17A). The 6’0 160LB junior currently has 123 points in his career with another year of eligibility remaining. 

INDEPENDENT

CANISIUS COLLEGE-

The Golden Griffins have certainly been golden this season, going 22-10. They will close out their season against Pitt, Robert Morris, than ECC on February 18TH. 

Canisius’ success comes from their scoring depth. The Golden Griffins have 12 players with 10 or more points on the year, including scoring leader Andrew Casselberry with 34 points through 31 games.

Forward Patrick Hurtubise leads all freshmen with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points, good for fourth on the club. 

DIVISION III

MEDAILLE COLLEGE-

The Mustangs (8-2-1) are currently second in the UNYCHL West Division behind first place Brockport. Medaille is undefeated at home in division play (5-0), and will conclude their regular season against St. John Fisher on February 14. 

Medaille depending on the outcome will finish either second or third as their matchup against St. John Fisher will be the tiebreaker. 

Junior Joshua Smith tore up the competition this year, scoring 29 points in his first 13 games (18G 11A). 

For more information on Mustangs club hockey, visit Facebook and search Medaille College Hockey ACHA Division 3.

BROCKPORT-

Sitting in first place in the UNYCHL West Division, the Golden Eagles (10-2) are in the drivers seat for a crack at the conference title. Brockport has outscored their opponents 101-44, scoring 32 more than second place Medaille with 69. 

FREDONIA STATE-

With an 8-13 record and 5-7 in conference play, Fredonia State missed the cut in the ACHA Atlantic Division, finishing 15th. 

The Blue Devils concluded their 2012-2013 season with a 5-3 victory over Penn State

Behrend on February 10TH. 

Doug Clayton and Cameron Corsaro guided the club with 28 and 23 points respectively on the year. Clayton scored eight power play and two shorthanded goals this season. 

ECC-

Head coach Gary Rost won his 125th game back on February 9th as the Kats took down Broome Community College 4-1. 

ECC currently sits fourth in the NJCAA, fueled by forward Ryan Rogalski who has 37 points in 19 games, good for third place in the conference.

D’YOUVILLE COLLEGE

The Spartans finished fifth in their 2012-2013 season with a 3-6-2 record in the UNYCHL and a 7-13-1 record overall in the NAIH, good for seventh place out of 18 teams. 

(They have one game remaining on the 16^th against Alfred State). 

The Halos Fly Into The Bronx For Game 6

As the drama unfolded when in the bottom of the 7th inning with the Angels down 6-4 and most likely seeing the Yankees punch their ticket to a date with the Fightin Phils. The Halos prompted one of the most emotional comebacks in the postseason as the famous rally monkey appeared before the start of the inning and fueled the Angels to comeback and then win in dramatic fashion 7-6 in front of a sell out Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

Now we move onto the stadium in Bronx, New York for game number six in probably one of the best series I have ever witnessed. This is what baseball in general is all about, two titans clashing for a chance to play in the fall classic pulling out all the stops to achieve their goal.

On Saturday it will be a 7:45pm start in the Bronx and it will be on the FOX Network








The matchup for tomorrow night will be lefty versus lefty as Angels workhorse Joe Saunders (16-7) battles the veteran and big game pitcher Andy Pettite of the Yankees (14-8).



Now let's make some comparisons for tomorrow night shall we.

Hitting: The Angels are very streaky hitting wise, the punch of Guerrero and Hunter worked well on thursday, but can the Angels' supporting cast of Rivera, Abreu, and Aybar be beneficial to the offense?

New York: very potent, very dangerous, and what makes it even more threatening is that A-Rod can hit now in the postseason. New York can beat a team in quite a few ways hitting wise, besides Swisher this whole lineup can do a lot of damage. The launching pad in the Bronx compared to spacious Angel Stadium should play in their favor.

Advantage: New York

Pitching:

Anaheim: With Joe Saunders on the mound who is 1-0 against New York this year in two starts with a 4.72 ERA according to yankeesdaily.com. The Angels don't necessarily have a lock on the mound like John Lackey but Joe when he is on he is nearly unhittable as he closed out the season with a 5-0 record and a sparkling 2.89 ERA.

New York: Andy Pettite has been there, done that, he has been on the big stage for the Yankees so many times it is hard to argue his credibility in the postseason. 15-9 with a 3.96 ERA according to www.baseballreference.com, Pettite has been in big game situations and has won those games 60% of the time. But this season he has struggled mightily against the Angels giving up 14 earned runs in only 3 starts with a 1-2 record.

Advantage: Anaheim

Defense:

Anaheim: In the ALCS the defense of the Angels has been at moments incredible and down right boneheaded. But besides the bad moments and horrendous calls by the seeing eyed umpires, they are still a fundamentally sound club who can produce double plays like they were on the assembly line at the ford plants. Their outfield is among the best in the majors with all three of them having big time arms.


New York: the quiet but productive part of the Yankee game has been defense. with a better infield than Anaheim but then again a much weaker outfield will hurt their chance of a throw out at the plate compared to the cannons wielded by Guerrero, Hunter, and Rivera.

advantage: Anaheim

Bullpen:

Anaheim: Boy where to start with this bunch? Their closer has been shaky at best, the bullpen blew the gem Lackey threw in game 5, and their biggest gun Darren Oliver got rocked by Texiera and who knows if he has recovered from it? If Saunders gets pulled early this might be the end of the road for the Angels unless they pitch to near perfection.

New York: The bullpen for this bunch is no rock either, with their best reliever Alfredo Aceves and former starter Phil Hughes giving up the two losses respectively, besides Mariano Rivera, I wouldn't trust any of these relievers late in a game.

advantage: Draw.

Conclusion: This will be a game for the ages no doubt about it! It will be a crazy night in the Bronx that is for damn sure!

Why Throwback Jerseys Are King! part 2

As I continue my countdown on the reviews of the throwback AFL uniforms, the final four that I have to unfortunately have to put in order are the Buffalo Bills, the Houston Oilers, the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers. This was extremely hard to judge but I came up with a reasonable order beginning with.....




4) Houston Oilers (Titans): Boy this is a beautiful jersey the helmet is among the best features of the uniform. The jersey itself is very nostalgic and nice on the eyes, the socks are a little confusing but nothing really outgoing. They are much much better off wearing these than the god awful uniforms they have now.




3) Buffalo Bills: boy these just scream throwback, these bad boy's should be worn full time. The helmet is the best out of all eight of the lot. The jersey is very sharp, the socks compliment the pants very well, it's a tough 3 but the other two just stand alone.




2) San Diego Chargers: Boy what more to say about this jersey, the best jersey out of the eight, very intricate bolts on each leg, and a throwback style helmet with the number on it. But this jersey had to bow to the true throwback of all throwbacks.




1) New England Patriots: Now I'm no fan of Brady or the Patriots but these uniforms are what the AFL was really about! true throwback with simple designs, mega sharp colors, and a streamlined sock and jersey design. This jersey trumps all as the king of the AFL throwbacks.

So that is the review of the eight throwback uniforms of the AFL celebrating their 50th anniversary. I would be glad to hear comments, or arguments if you think you have a better order, I would be glad to listen and respond.

Peace,

LL

Why Throwback Jerseys Are King! part 1

As the NFL celebrates the 50th anniversary of the American Football League, the original AFL teams are allowed to wear their original uniforms from 1960. For most cases these uniforms are just absolutely beautiful, like they just stand out and scream Football. I took a personal ranking of the eight throwback NFL uniforms this year and this was incredibly hard to decide which jersey went where. Here is the order from worst to first.

8) Denver Broncos: Boy this just screams ugly. Nothing more else to say about this monstrosity, undefeated team or not this is just plain awful, where are the orange and royal blue uni's? Those are regal jerseys not these. Oy Vey!



7) New York Titans (Jets): This is the reason why they went with the green and white. These are like the broncos only without the horrid striping pattern and the numbered helmets. Very gritty coloring, just doesn't standout and seem to be boring.



6) Oakland Raiders: Nothing against the uniform, but they've worn the same ones forever, a very good uniform unfortunately it cant have the nostalgia cause they've never changed.



5) Dallas Texans (KC): Even though I could not find a full photo of the uniform I see it is very basic, it's red jersey white numbers and letters with solid white pants and red solid socks with white bottom. But I see this helmet and it looks badass!



Well You'll Have To Wait For The Top 4 tomorrow!

Peace,

LL

The Atlanta Jinx Strikes Again

Boy this team can be a real pest. The Atlanta Thrashers delivered another beatdown to the Buffalo Sabres with a 4-2 final. The Sabres have now suffered their first loss in regulation in this young season. Boy the Thrashers really know how to spoil a good thing for the Sabres. Time to turn back the clock shall we? Since the Atlanta Thrashers came into the National Hockey League in 1999, they have made life miserable for Buffalo with a impeccable 11-2-1 record. As bad of a team the Thrashers have been in their entire history, they really seem to like playing the Sabres. Losing is one thing, but losing time and time again to a team that's made one playoff appearance ever? It's just torture. Now I seem to wonder, how could one team have such a number on the other regardless of record? When will the Thrasher Jinx ever be solved? If anyone is willing to find out why we struggle so bad against this team I am willing to listen to comments and respond to any of them. Because I'm out of ideas and likely so is Lindy.

Sabres Update: Sabres-6 Islanders- 3.

Once again the Sabres proved that even as the opposition proves to creep up and comeback like most opponents did last season. The Sabres slammed the door shut on the still winless New York Islanders with a 6-3 victory in front of another sell out crowd of 18,690 at the HSBC Arena. This particular type of game last season proved deadly to the Sabres as they struggled to shut the door on opposing clubs the entire 08-09 campaign. However the now tougher and more tenacious Sabres squad knows full well that in order to make a playoff run this season they need to know how to put away the opposition and win these types of games against weaker opponents. Tyler Myers scored his first ever NHL goal tonight as he beat Dwayne Roloson, who evidently did not bring his A-game as he usually does night in and night out as he was peppered with blasts by the Sabre militia. One in particular with Clarke MacArthur's beautiful penalty shot just leaving Dwayne's jockstrap back in Edmonton. After the onslaught as Jochen Hecht beat Roli five hole to make it 4-1. Head Coach Scott Gordon saw enough and pulled the former Sabres netminder for another former Sabre alum Martin Biron, who received a standing ovation from the Buffalo fans when coming into the game. The Islanders though made the game interesting by tallying two goals in the second, cutting the lead in half going into the third frame. The Sabres though pulled away as Patrick Kaleta scored midway through the third only to be responded seconds later by Sutton to make it 5-3. But then Jason Pominville provided the final blow as he absolutely boomed a laser by Biron top shelf where momma hides the cookies to make it 6-3 putting the game out of reach. Ryan Miller proved sparkling once again, stopping 36 out of 39 shots against the Isles with an astoundingly diminutive eight goals against in five games. As the Sabres are rolling along being the only team unbeaten in regulation in the NHL, we begin to wonder how good this team really can be? Scary Good? In time.