The Ducks WIn!

I forgot to blog yesterday, there's also a lot of other things I forgot, but the important thing is I'll be blogging twice today so it's all good.

Anyways, let's get rolling shall we?

Last night the Mighty Ducks look to rebound after a heart breaking 2-1 loss when they took on The Turf Munchers. Yes, we had all the same preconceived thoughts about the team that you do by reading their name...

The Ducks found themselves 0-2 after a blowout 10-2 defeat (six Ducks were missing) and a tough 2-1 loss last Wednesday night. This was a must win game to salvage a .500 season.

The Ducks only had seven guys, that's one sub, to start this game but they picked up an extra man who volunteered to play. This guy, Dave, ended up being a huge pick up for the Mighty Duck squad.

The Ducks got off to a fast start, jumping out to a 2-0 lead with goals by Dave (the ringer) and Josh Andaloro. Andaloro's goal was a beautifully hit left-footed volley from a distance that found top cheddar.

But what help solidify the DUcks 2-0 and eventual 3-0 at the end of the first half was solid play at the back by both the Duck defenders and Keeper Dave Cobb.

Several players can be heard describing his play from the bench, including Erik Grodus, who just said to the Bearded Keep "Dude you're in the zone!"

And he was, he made some beautiful saves, including a one-handed snag on a one-timer from up close. But the young Keep will credit his defense before his own play."

"The guys at the back were great that first half, and most of the game," said Cobb, "If it weren't for plays from guys like Matty Smith and Max (Washko,) then it would have been a totally different game.

The game was the tale of two halves. The Ducks dominated the first half, going into the break with a 3-0 lead. But the second half was a goal fest for both teams.

The Turf Munchers scored on their first opportunity when a defensive lapse allowed a shooter to get a clean look from inside the box. Followed closely by a bad goal off of Duck Defenseman Dan Buhlinger's head which somehow found it's way into the net (I still maintain that ball hit the net and should have been a corner.)

The Ducks eventually found themselves in a tie game 5-5 after a mental collapse from their Keeper with under five minutes left in the game. But after a hand ball, Washko and the Ducks had a free kick from up close.

"Honestly, I thought the free kick was dumb, from my vantage point it looked like there was no way to find a hole," said Cobb, "Maybe the keep was out of position, or maybe Max is just that good, which he is, but by God, he blasted that ball bottom left and I knew we weren't falling apart for once. And we were going to win this game."

The Ducks managed to scored two more goals before the final whistle, securing their first win of the season and first win of the franchise's indoor history.

"It feels nice to win one," said Captain Cobb.

A Look at Classic Sport Titles

Recently I purchased MVP Baseball 2004, that's the one with Albert Puljos on the cover. Oh yeah, classic game. With the likes of Nate Cornejo, Mike Maroth, Jeremy Bonderman, Omar Infante, Eirc Munson, Bobby Higginson and DEAN PALMER, still on the Tigers roster.

This got me thinking... what are some of the great sports games of back in my childhood days... There were tons of classics, and I'm in a reminiscing type mood. Plus their sport games, so the Bearded Fellow is permitted to speak on this. Anywho... ;et's get crackin, and these are in no particular order.

The MVP Baseball Series (03-05)
MVP Baseball is by far the best baseball franchise I have ever played, followed closely by another game that will be mentioned later... The games were easy, fun, and had the absolute BEST music in any sports game I ever played. It had songs on there before they were popular that later became popular (Honest Mistake- Bravery, C'mon C'mon- The Von Bondies, Please- Maxeen, Swing Swing- All-American Rejects.) The game was fun, it wasn't veery in-depth with fancy features, but it was quick, simple and the game-play is the best of any baseball game I've played. The 2k Series has better presentation, but MVP Baseball is stil my favorite baseball game of all time.

All-Star Baseball
There were two all-star baseball games on the xbox that I had, I don't recall their years, but they were fun. They were the Derek Jeter equivilant to Kobe Byrant's Courtside games for the N64. All-Star Baseball was a fun game with a cool feature of an expansion team. You can create a team and go through the process of an expansion draft. Obviously you didn't get to pick the best guys, but it was fun and interesting way to play the game. It was a fun feature that I personally believe more games should use. Classic game that I do believe I still own somewhere... I gotta find it.

NHL 2001
NHL 2001 for the PC was probably the best hockey game I have ever owned. It was amazingly fun, it had the awesome feature of hitting the refere through he glass, you know it's legit when you can do that. But my favorite feature was the expansion draft. You could take over Minnesota and Columbus and do their expansion drafts for them, a feature that was absent in the playstation 2 version. This was a great feature, and it made the game even more fun. Fantastic game.

NCAA Football 2003
Now this was my game, with Joey Ball Game on the cover. No real outstanding features, just a fun football game that I played for years. This was the only NCAA football game I owned for the Xbox til 06, and why would I need a new one with such an amazing game. I had a dynasty in which I got fired from Harvard. Then I took a job at Eastern Michigan, and after only a few seasons of mediocre football, I made them a powerhouse. Won about, oh 12 national championships in a row maybe? What a fantastic game.

There are many other sport games that didn't get mentioned here, every blitz and hitz game ever made, Madden 64, actually now that I mention it, Madden 64 deserves to be in here. It was amazing. The fantasy draft was the best feature ever. So much fun... But I leave out some great games because I want you, the reader, even though I know you won't... to write a comment of your favorite all time sports game and why. Do it, I know you can...

Pistons Embarrass the City

Now you guys know how I feel about the NBA, and would love not to write about it, but what's going on in our own backyard is just too significant to ignore. It has been no secret that the players and "veteran leaders," have had issues with the way Coach John Kuester.

This is a disgrace to the city, to the team, to everyone involved. Rip Hamilton yells at Kuester at a practice, then Kuester benches him for a month or so, and now we have this fresh bit of news.

Apparently, the Pistons pulled an Allen Iverson and decided that practice doesn't matter. Only six guys showed up for the morning shoot around. Dajuan Summers, Will Bynum, Charlie Villanueva, Ben Gordon, Jason Maxiel, and Greg Monroe, showed up for practice. Austin Daye and Rodney Stuckey showed up late. Tracy McGrady had a "head-ache" and Tayshaun Prince had a "stomach-ache." My favorite is Chris Wilcox, he overslept. That leaves Mr. Richard Hamilton, who had no excuse, no reason for missing practice, other than he hates playing for the Pistons apparently.

This is an absolute joke. I'm telling you right now Prince was not sick. I don't see why T-Mac would protest, maybe he was, but Rip and Tayshaun were for sure protesting. I'm not buying their excuses.

But it gets worse... Kuester decides to only play the six guys that showed up for shoot around, something I actually agree with. But where things get worse is when Kuester gets ejected and players are seen laughing on the bench. You know you command respect when your team is laughing at you as you get ejected.

The Pistons failed when they didn't dump the dead weight at the deadline. Rip blocked a trade with Cleveland (good thing, Pistons would have lost their first round pick,) but Tayshaun could have been traded to Dallas for Caron Butler and a 1st round pick. But they decided not to trade Prince, for whatever dumb reason.

They need to fire Kuester, hire an interim coach, or Dumars should take over. But at the end of the year, get rid of Rip, get rid of Tayshaun, bring in Bill Lambier to take over this team. No nonsense guy who take over this team. This team is a joke in serious trouble.

With One Bank Shot, so Ends the Wolverines' Tournament Hopes

Photo Credit: CBS Sports

Wednesday night, Crisler Arena, Underdog Michigan Wolverines look to upset the #12 Wisconsin Badgers. Huge game for Michigan's tournament chances. With a win, I predicted the Wolverines to make the dance. Not just because of this win, but I felt if they won this one they'd beat Minnesota and possibly beat Michigan State at home.

Michigan played one it's best games all year against the favored Badgers. Good enough to win on most nights. An even game throughout, Michigan had a 31-30 edge at half time and kept on fighting in the second half, even when they went cold late in the second half, they fought back and took the lead.

Michigan had a two point lead with very little time left. They had the opportunity to go to the free throw line after a defensive stop. There was no time left on the shot clock. Darius Morris had a 1 and 1 situation, a potential four point lead in his hands. But unfortunately for the young superstar, he missed the front end.

On the ensuing possession, Michigan opted to use all it's fouls it had to give, a wise move, leaving Wisconsin 6.9 seconds left and the ball down two. What happened next was the unthinkable...

They inbound the ball to Jordan Taylor, who then gets a screen from Josh Gasser. Stu Douglas, who was guarding Gasser, opts to double Taylor, leaving Gasser wide open. Instead of hedging and rolling back to his man (which he was supposed to do) Stu stayed to force a double team.

Gasser was able to get into a position to receive a pass from Taylor, and heaved up a prayer... his prayer was answer as he banked, yes banked, in the game-winning three. An absolute dagger to the gut of any Wolverine fan.

But what does this do to Michigan's tournament chances? Damn near kills them. Yes, this win wasn't expected, but if they got it they'd be golden. But now let's look at what they need...

Michigan needs to beat Minnesota AND Michigan State. Not one or the other, both. Then, Michigan needs to impress people in the Big Ten Tournament. No one and done, no beating of a scrub in the first round then losing. They need an impressive win in the B10 tournament if they want to go dancing in the big one.

Quite frankly I don't think they can do it. They'll beat Minnesota but they will lose to MSU. MSU is playing too good and too hungry now. And frankly, I don't see them winning more than one game in the B10 tournament either.

Sorry Michigan fans, this season is NIT bound, but chin up, because the NIT is a whole lot better than anyone predicted, including myself.

Spartan's Unsung Hero: Mike Kebler

Okay, maybe he's not the most important Spartan, but Mike Kebler plays an important role for this years Spartans. Yes I may have a strange love affair for him, but nonetheless, his new found importance has had a bigger impact than the average fan may know. But just watch Kebler play, and you will see the impact he has on games.

Kebler's found himself in the starting lineup with Durrell Summers struggling as much as he is. The former walk-on senior used to play just garbage time minutes, but over the past two season, Kebler has seen his role increase to a pretty important role.

Last year, Kebler started as just a garbage time guy. But he made his presence noticed as a lock-down defending, often guarding a team's best player down the stretch. There was a particular game I remember last year against Penn State. I was attending this game at the Breslin, and it was much closer than anyone anticipated. Taylor Battle had been scoring with relative success all game until down the stretch when Izzo brought in his ace up his sleeve, Mike Kebler. Kebler shut down Battle down the stretch and the Spartans held on to win.

Efforts like that are what impress out of players. Sure, guys like Kalin can drop 27 points and have huge days, but honestly, I expect them to play big in big games. But those guys who go from garbage time minutes to playing a key role late in key games are the guys that grab my attention. Because to go from garbage time to important minutes, you have to make an impression. How do you make that impression? Hard work, perseverance, and dedication, that's how.

At the beginning of this season, Kebler's role was back to where it was before the end of last season, mostly garbage time minutes. With guards like Summers, Appling, Lucious, and Lucas, there really wasn't a spot for Kebler to get in the lineup, even for his lock down defense.

But now, Lucious is gone, Durrell is struggling offensively, and let's face it, has always been kind of a defensive liability, and now Kebler finds himself in the starting lineup. Hard work and dedication goes along way kids.

THe thing I love about Kebler is that he's worked his way into the lineup by becoming a lockdown defender, something that's overlooked in today's basketball. The NBA has zero defense and doesn't even pretend to want it. Defense never makes the highlights, unless it's some thunderous and miraculous block. But that hard nosed, in your face, defending is an art that's forgotten in basketball nowadays. It's refreshing to see a guy who's role is to bring that defensive intensity. He's not out there to score, in fact he rarely shoots, sometimes passes off to a fault and turns it over, but he knows his role. He's out there to play defense and make plays with his defense.

The Spartans have turned their play around as of late, and with efforts like Kebler's they'll be fine. I always tell people that offense scores points, but runs start with defense. MSU's defensive attitude has changed recently, and it's when Kebler was inserted into the starting lineup. Good move Izzo.

Miguel Cabrera Arrested for DUI

Photo Credit: bitandbound.com

Well I honestly didn't expect to be writing about baseball while there was still snow on the ground, but here we are, Mr. Miguel Cabrera's got himself in trouble with the law again, and yes, he was drunk again.

Police investigated Cabrera's car when they saw it on the side of the road smoking. Inside was Miguel drunk as a skunk with a bottle of scotch with him.

According to reports, Miguel said to the officers when they asked him to step out of the car "What er you doing, do you know who I am?" Then took a swig from the bottle of scotch. I do not in anyway condone his behavior... but isn't that the best arrest report you have ever heard? It cracked me up.

Anyways, this is a huge hit for the Tigers and for Miguel. Who knows what's going to happen, it's not like this is first time getting drunk and getting in trouble with the law, so clearly there's an issue.

Magglio Ordonez had the best comments of any Tiger, calling out Miguel to "act like a superstar" and realize he's the face of the organization and he needs to learn how to behave himself.

An update on the situation, Miguel's arraignment is set for March 16th, so remember that date folks.

30 Day Challenge: Day One

Yes, those stupid 30 day challenges on Facebook Facebook where people just post 30 different pictures of themselves, that is what I'm referring to, except this challenge is cooler. 30 days, 30 blogs, 1 a day. BUT WHAT IF YOU MISS A DAY DAVE???? Well then I'll do a two-a-day blog style. But this is a challenge that my roommate thought of as a way to get me back into the blogging game. So let's do this... DAY 1

Red Wings Find Groove

After struggling for a stretch, the Red Wings are on a roll, winning five in a row after a 2-1 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild yesterday afternoon on Hockey Day in America. On a side note, this as Todd Bertuzzi's 1,000th NHL game and he scored the clincher in the shootout, so congrats go out to Bertuzzi.

This Wings have struggled as of late, but guys like Dan Cleary, Tomas Holmstrom, and most importantly Pavel Datsyuk are back in the lineup healthy and contributing right away. Getting those guys back has clearly made a big impact right away. Also getting Brad Stuart back has really helped sure up the blue line and penalty kill. His presence was clearly missed.

THe Red Wings find themselves five points back of the top spot in the west, but they have a game at hand. In layman's terms, it means Vancouver has played one more game than Detroit. So the wings are five points back with a game at hand, so potentially only three points back.

At this time last year everyone was in panic freak out mode, and I know who you guys were so if I see any of you tell me "Nooooo I wasn't panicing" then you're a liar in denial. But isn't it nice to see the WIngs playing like they should? Modano comes back on Friday so that will be a great addition.

The trade deadline is approaching, and I don't expect the Wings to make a splash because frankly they don't need to. Would I be shocked? No, but don't expect Detroit to be involved in a big deal.

The Fall of the Spartans

There is one question being asked in East Lansing... What the Hell is going on?!?!?

The fans have watched their preseason national championship favorite Michigan State Spartans, who started off number two in the country, have collapsed and fallen apart beyond repair.

Maybe they aren't as good as we thought they were? Well clearly they're not, but there is more to it than this. There are many theories out there, and of course I have my own.

Hondo has said on his show that there is a lot of turmoil going on with this team, and ever since he's pointed this out, it's become blatantly obvious to me as well that there is something going on behind the scenes. Players to coaches, coaches to players, players to players and coaches to coaches, it just seems like everyone is caught up in the turmoil.

What's going on with the Spartans goes beyond just not having enough talent. They aren't as good as we all thought, that's clear. They have no low post game and that really hindered the Spartans early on in the season, before everything fell apart as bad as it has.

This team has fallen apart. But why? It has all the talent in the world. Is it Izzo? Is it the players?

Frankly both deserve some of the blame. But here's what I think...

I think that Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers coming back was a nightmare in disguise. It's something I never would have considered until I heard multiple people on Hondo's show, most recently Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press, say this exact same thing.

But how can two guys of such great talent hurt the team by coming back? They don't want to be there. They both were going to make the jump to the NBA after last season, whether or not they would have been drafted, but Kalin suffered the ankle injury in the NCAA tournament. They both were gone. Durrell goes where Kalin goes, and if Lucas didn't get hurt, they were NBA bound.

Having two senior "leaders" back that don't want to be there hurts the team in so many ways. Having anyone there that doesn't want to be there hurts morale, but having two "leaders" and two of your best players there that clearly don't want to be there is enough to kill any team.

I think Lucas and Summers's attitude combined with the bad losses have led to the team as a whole quitting. I don't see any effort from the team, they constantly and consistently look sluggish. They're playing with no pride right now and it shows.

But not all the blame goes onto the players, the coaches also have to take blame here. It is the coaches job to unite a team, to get a team to play together as a unit, and Izzo is not doing that. But I also feel like Izzo's making game-plan and strategy mistakes, beyond just the inner turmoil of this team.

Yes, Izzo deserves some blame for the turmoil, but let's look at in game coaching for a moment. Why doesn't State work the post more? Why is Draymond allowed to constantly spot up? Why doesn't Garrick Sherman get more playing time? These are questions I've had all season long and it doesn't make sense to me. They need to get a post game working, and they aren't even trying to get one going.

The season is done. They cannot salvage this season. Too many tough games are left on the schedule and this team is showing no signs of improvement. They're last two losses are by a combined 46 points, which includes a 20 point loss to Iowa, the worst team in the Big Ten.

This season is a disaster, and that's being polite. There isn't a lack of talent, but a lack of leadership, a lack of pride. And that's why the Spartans find themselves in a tail spin, with no signs of righting the ship.Stick a fork in em, cuz they're done.

GO PACK GO! Green Bay Wins Super Bowl XLV

Photo Credit: USA Today

Super Bowl Sunday has come and past, and the Green Bay Packers are your SUper Bowl XLV Champs. Congrats to the Packers organization on bring the Lombardi trophy back to historic Green Bay. The way Green Bay fought this season, not another team in the NFL deserves this title. They were 8-6 on the outside looking in, and they fought back and not only got to the playoffs, but won it all. Not to mention the 16 guys on injured reserve that they had to overcome.

Green Bay came out ready to play right from the start, taking a 14-0 lead early on a nice touchdown drive followed by a pick six by Nick Collins. The Packers decided that they were going to just throw the ball all game and dare the Steelers defense to stop them. Pittsburgh couldn't do it.

Green Bay looked destined for a blowout win, jumping out to a 21-3 lead, but Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers on a touchdown drive to end the first half, to pull within 11. The Packers took a 21-10 lead into the locker room.

The Pack suffered three key injuries in the first half, seems to be their theme of the season. Charles Woodson, Donald Driver and Sam Shields all left the game due to injury. Shields did return and got significant playing time, but Woodson was done.

Woodson tried to give a halftime speech, but was too emotional and couldn't speak. Reportedly, players shouted "We got you," to the emotional Woodson, who is an important member of their defense and a team leader.

The Steelers came out hungry and focused int he third quarter, and started to make a come back. They took advantage of the Packers inability to move the ball in the third, and started to gain the momentum back.

The key play of the game was Rashard Mendenhall's fumble at the start of the fourth. Had Pittsburgh scored a touchdown, they would have taken the lead. But Mendenhall's mistake proved costly as it led to a Green Bay touchdown.

Anywho, Steelers score, go for two, get it, Packer field goal on a key drive, and Pittsburgh gets the ball back with two minutes and a chance to win, but Green Bay stops them on a 4th and 5 pass attended for Mike Wallace. The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl.

It was a fantastic game, and it came down to the end, what more could you ask for? Rodgers had a phenomenal game, and he did something Brett Favre never did: win Super Bowl MVP.

I will say... that I had picked the Steelers... BUT, my preseason Super Bowl pick was the Packers, so I feel pretty good about that, little victory for the Bearded One. Yeah but I changed at the end, but c'mon I had good reasoning, the Steelers were more balanced than the Pack.

Congrats once again to the Green Bay Packers on this win, a much deserved win. Congrats to Rodgers for getting the Favre monkey off his back, and congrats to Charles Woodson, for getting that Super Bowl ring that the Tom Brady tuck rule stole from you.