Obama voted as the next President of the United States

Politics

I know that this is out of the scope of my normal postings... but I feel very strongly about politics, and as hard as I've tried not to taint this blog with political opinions, I can refrain no longer.

I am angry.  
I'm angry at the media for their unadulterated bias for Barak Obama during the
months preceeding the Presidential election.  Their reporting of the "news" and
of the "facts" was the most disturbing thing I've seen in my lifetime.  The days 
of investigative journalism and reporting the truth (regardless of your personal 
opinion) seems all but lost.

I'm angry at my fellow citizens.  They have elected a President who (with the help of a heavily Democratic Legislature) has have the ability (and the desire) to perminantly alter many rights and freedoms guarenteed to every individual by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Out of greed and lust, the masses of American citizens have decided that they were more concerned about more money in their pockets (in the form of a tax break for the "middle class") and the mysterious and ambiguous term "CHANGE" than they were about upholding the basic principles that this country was built upon.  

Voters were so upset with George W. Bush that they have turned 180 degrees and put somebody from the opposite end of the spectrum into the same position of power.  The masses did not do their research.  The masses did not look into (what is known about) Barak Obama's past.  The masses elected a President they know hardly anything about because he promises them "CHANGE," and more money to spend.  I have never been more disgusted with the American public than I am today.

I just don't get it.  I don't know what to say...

Perhaps I'll just leave you with this: The 44th President [Elect] of the United States.

The above editorial portrays my general feelings much more eliquently than I can manage at this point in time.

Obama voted as the next President of the United States

Sergei Fedorov - Greatest Russian Goal Scorer

NHL

Sergei Fedorov is now officially the highest scoring Russian hockey player of all
time.  He scored his 474th career goal in Saturday's (October 25th) game
versus the Dallas Stars.  He then followed that up by scoring his 475th career
goal (7th highest among all active NHL players) halfway through the second
period.   

Fedorov has been in the NHL since the 1990-1991, playing thirteen seasons and
winning numerous accolades as well as three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red
Wings.  After leaving the Red Wings, he spent parts of four seasons with the
Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets, before heading to 
Washington D.C. to play with fellow countrymen Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander 
Semin, and Victor Kozlov.

Fedorov has 7 points in 8 games so far this season, and looks to have regained much of his star status that appeared lost since leaving Detroit.  He also leads all Russian players in games played, assists, and points.

When asked about his recent achievement, Fedorov was humble as always, prefering instead to talk about fellow countryman Alex Mogilny.  “It’s just a record,” Fedorov said. “I’d rather talk about Alex [Mogilny] than the record. I know his career was shortened by injury. I didn’t expect to ever get it. He had a great shot and amazing hands. Realistically, if he’d played more he’d have a lot more stats. He was a powerful forward, a scoring machine.”

Great player; great scorer; classy guy.

Sergei Fedorov - Greatest Russian Goal Scorer

Kevin Bieksa wrecking ball

NHL

In Vancouver's October 21st game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, defenseman Kevin Bieksa completely obliterates Russian rookie Nikita Filatov with an amazing (but clean) hit.  All I can say is it looked like Filatov skated into a truck.



Following the hit, Alexandre Picard picks a fight with Bieksa and loses miserably.

Now I love the hit, but since when did starting fights as the result of a CLEAN hit become necessary?  I'm all for standing up for your team mates when they taken out by a dirty, cheap hit... but come on, Bieksa was basically just skating back on defense and Filatov skated into him.

At least it's good to see that the intensity is still in the sport... You gotta love it when a guy smashes a member of the other team with a clean hit (that doesn't result in an injury), and then takes out an aggressor in a fight moments later.  Classic.

Kevin Bieksa wrecking ball

Friendly Roto League

Below is my current roster in my 2008-09 Yahoo! Roto League with friends. This league is a one year, 12 team Roto style league with weekly lineup changes.

Roster:
C - Toews, Carter, Brassard, Dubinsky, Hanzal
LW - Ovechkin, Vanek, Sturm, Clowe
RW - Kessel, Boyes, Mueller (C/RW), Cheechoo, Park
D - Phaneuf, Green, Zidlicky, Barker, Goligoski, Letang, Enstrom, Van Ryn
G - Fleury, Luongo, S. Mason, Ersberg

League scoring stats:
Skaters - G, A, Pts, PIM, PPG, PPA, GWG, SOG, FOW
Goalies - W, GAA, Saves, Shutouts

Active Roster Positions:
Skaters - 3Center, 3Left Wing, 3Right Wing, 1Wing, 1Forward, 6Defender
Goalies - 2Goalie

Dobber "Experts" League Roster

Below is my current roster in the 2008-09 Dobber "Experts" League. This league is a one year, 12 team Roto style league with weekly lineup changes.

Roster:
C - Backstrom, Plekanec, Brind'Amour, Zubrus, S. Fedorov
LW - Ovechkin, Tanguay, Clowe, Hagman
RW - Sykora, Ryder, Mueller (C/RW), Justin Williams
D - Phaneuf, Jovanovski, Chara, Enstrom, Picard, Eminger, Ian White (RW/D)
G - Fleury, Ellis, Ersberg, Rinne
IR - K. Lehtonen, Sturm, Erik Johnson, Beauchemin

League scoring stats:
Skaters - G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, SOG
Goalies - W, GAA, Saves

Active Roster Positions:
Skaters - 4Center, 4Left Wing, 4Right Wing, 6Defender
Goalies - 2Goalie

CBS Sportsline League Roster

Below is my current roster for my 2008-09 CBS Sportsline League.  This league is a 10 team dynasty league that uses NHL cap numbers for all players.

Roster:
Centers - Crosby, Toews, Carter, Weight, Little, Dubinsky
Wings - Ovechkin, Kane, Doan, Parise, Slava Kozlov, Perron, Grabovski,
            Higgins
Defenders - Phaneuf, T. Kaberle, Streit, Corvo, Letang, Doughty
Goalies - Backstrom, Bryzgalov, Anderson, Huet

League scoring stats:
Skaters - G, A, PIM, PPG, PPA, SHG, SHA, SOG, FOW, GWG, Hat Tricks
Goalies - W, L, Saves, GA, Shutouts

Active Roster Positions:
Skaters - 3Center, 4Wing, 4Defender
Goalies - 2Goalie

NCAA Football officials want to get more involved

NCAA Football

Apparently, the NCAA has instructed it's officials to become a little more involved during games this season.  Recently, when LSU played South Carolina, one of the officials on the field (it appears to be the umpire) assists with a tackle on the scrambling South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia.



Now I'm not going to scream foul (as many people have the past couple of days).  I'm not going to cry for this official to be fired.  The officials are part of the game, and it does appear (from other angles) that he tries to get out of the way of the play.  The fact that there is an angle available that shows what appears to be the official stalking the quarterback like Brian Urlacher, and then leaning into him as they collide is just great comedy.  

Feel bad for the ref.  He was most likely trying to escape involvement, but was unable to.  He has since been ridiculed online by angry fans calling for his head.  Treat this situation as it should be treated: it's an unfortunate event (for one team), that made for an absolutely hilarious viral video.

NCAA Football officials want to get more involved

NHL Draft - Transactions

NHL

The NHL draft was held this past weekend (June 20-21), and while a few things were certain to happen, hardly anyone expected the trades that always occur on draft day to be as big as they turned out to be...

1) LA traded Michael Cammalleri to Calgary for their 17th overall pick & their 2nd round pick in 2009

2) Florida traded Olli Jokinen to
Phoenix for Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton, and their 49th overall pick

3) Calgary traded Alex Tanguay to
Montreal for their 25th overall pick

4) Philadelphia traded R.J. Umberger's rights and their 118th overall pick to
Columbus for their 19th overall pick & their 67th overall pick

Calgary did a wonderful job of shedding Alex Tanguay's large salary cap hit (5.25 million) and replacing him with Cammalleri who is a younger, more skilled (in my opinion) player with great potential and a smaller salary.

Phoenix got away with highway robbery when they acquired the much sought after, game-breaking Jokinen for two depth defenders (with potential) and a 2nd round pick.  They maintained ownership of their 8th overall draft choice in this year's 2008 draft.

Montreal gains a quality play-making wing for their top line that will compliment their play style and Alexei Kovalev nicely.

If Columbus can resign Umberger to an extension (he's a restricted free agent this summer), they'll gain a big, two-way forward that can play at both the wing and center positions.  He'll add depth to a maturing, but talented offensive squad that is home to some of the better young players and prospects in the league.

It will be wonderful to see how all of these players impact their new teams.

NHL Draft - Transactions

The Epic Game 5 - Stanley Cup Finals

NHL

What drama!  What a show!  Even the casual hockey fan and his/her
uninterested spouse should be able to appreciate the quality of game 5
of the Stanley Cup Finals in Hockeytown - Detroit.  At this point, the
series has turned into David vs. Goliath... the young Pittsburgh team
vs. the veteran Detroit team.  

The odds are still stacked in Detroit's favor, but one has to think that 
this last loss is crushing to even this seasoned team.  Detroit was less 
than a minute from winning the Cup and ending their season on a 
victorious note in front of their home town fans...  Instead Pittsburgh 
ties it up, and wins in the third overtime.  Detroit came out hard in the 
first overtime, and limited Pittsburgh to just 2 shots on goal... but they
weren't particularly effective in either the second or third overtime on
offense or defense. They seemed to lose steam.  Whether this was 
because of their high average age, or something mental, no one will 
probably ever know... but you just have to feel like Detroit is damaged 
by coming so close and having the Cup slip through their fingers.  
Something that disappointing has to effect even the most composed of
athletes...  Pittsburgh on the other hand couldn't be flying higher.

The young team led by captain Sidney Crosby still needs two straight
wins before they can sleep well at night, but you have to think that this
team will do everything in their souls to avoid disappointing their home
crowd twice in a row (something they haven't done in over three months
of NHL play).

The Penguins seem to finally understand what it takes to beat Detroit 
and have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup.  As I previously stated,
the Penguins have conquered every challenge so far these playoffs...
They have learned from their mistakes and have done what needed to be
done to win each series.  Detroit has presented the hardest challenge to
overcome to date, but it seems like the Penguins at least understand now
HOW to overcome these stingy Red Wings.

It doesn't have to be pretty, it doesn't have to be a highlight reel.  Goals 
are goals and wins are wins.  Detroit is too good to score tic-tac-toe 
goals against.  You win against Detroit by pressuring them, playing hard 
at the boards, crashing the net, and playing dirty, gritty, trench hockey.  
Pittsburgh did this in overtime as desperation entered their game, and it 
was a GOOD thing!  They threw their bodies to win pucks, they squeezed 
their legs for that extra juice to get them back on defense.  This is how 
they need to play the first 60 minutes of these Stanley Cup Finals games!  
Hold nothing back!  This is when you leave everything on the table!  You 
have the whole off-season to recover from your fatigue.  This is the time 
for glory; and glory is not given.  It's earned.  Last night Pittsburgh 
earned their win.  If (and this is a big "if") they play with the same 
urgency in game 6 as they did last night in overtime of game 5, these 
two teams will be headed back to Detroit for a series (and Stanley Cup) 
deciding game 7.

Mark my words.  

Before the Finals started I predicted Pittsburgh in six, and while I am
off by one victory at this point, I laughed at the analysts who had the
audacity to suggest that Pittsburgh would lay down and lose in four
straight contests.  Neither Pittsburgh's nor Detroit's trips to the finals
were given to them.  These teams both deserve to be playing for the
cup, and hopefully the series will become only more dramatic with the
conclusion of game six.

The Epic Game 5 - Stanley Cup Finals

Next Generation of Video Gaming?

Video Games

I find myself wondering following the release of the PS3, XBox360, and
Wii; if the "next generation" of gaming is really an improvement to the
video game world.  I ask myself this because (while I concede that video
games are indeed more popular and entertaining now than they ever
were before) it seems as though these new video games are turning even
the casual gamer into technology dependant addicts.  

It used to be that video games were for kids.  As a disclaimer, I do
understand that the earliest gaming systems weren't exclusively for kids,
but they also had spotty popularity as well.  It wasn't until Nintendo
(NES) that video games really came into the mainstream in the United
States.  As a kid, I grew up with NES, and I remember racing home to
play Contra (anyone else still remember "up, down, up, down, left, right,
left, right, b, a, b, a, start" by heart?) and Super Mario Brothers 3 with
my brothers after school.  It was a social activity and a bonding activity
for my brothers and I.  Now, a couple decades later, with Nintendo
Entertainment System just a fond memory, I consider modern day video
games and all the "great improvements" that have come with
advancements in computer technology...      

I purposefully put quotes around great improvements, because while no
one (including myself) can argue that video games and consoles haven't
taken leaps and bounds within the past 20 years, one can argue that the
leaps and bounds taken are not the best thing for human development
and sociability.

One of the single most groundbreaking (and therefore profitable) improvements to video game consoles was the addition of online gaming 
capability which allows gamers to play multi player games without actually
knowing anyone they are playing with.  One of the largest draws (at least
initially) of console gaming systems was that they were actually more fun
with more people playing them.  In the early days, if you wanted to play
video games by yourself, you usually stuck to computer gaming.   Now, 
you can play any game by yourself and have approximately the same 
experience (by playing online) as you would if you had a bunch of friends 
over.

Is this really an advancement in video gaming?  Previously, if you had a
really cool multi player game, and none of your friends were available,
you'd probably find something else to do with your time.  You'd go
outside, spend time with family, read, etc.  Now, there is no reason to
ever leave your video game console, because there is an unlimited supply
of gamers ready to play (at any time) online.  While this obviously makes
the video game manufacturers and system developers more money
(because it keeps you using their product), is it really a good thing?

When do we realize as a country (or civilization) that sometimes
technology makes life easier, and other times it acts as a crutch that 
keeps us from truly living life?  When will we realize that sometimes it's
better to go outside and actually play tennis or golf, rather than just 
simulating it on a t.v.?  Where will America's athletes and musicians 
come from if the people who love sports and music just simulate their 
talents on video game systems rather than "getting out there and doing?"

Only time will tell what the future and further development of gaming 
has in store for us, but based on the current progression, I highly doubt
that it will include nature, the outdoors, or real personal interaction.  
Then again, who knows?... Maybe the current trends of technology are
just a sign of things to come.  Maybe the future of our civilization is
that of online connection and interaction...

Times do change, but it just makes you wonder... Do we change the
times?  Or do the times change us?

Next Generation of Video Gaming?

Ross McKeon - Does he even follow the NHL?

NHL

Ross McKeon.  

Anyone who follows hockey and frequents Yahoo! Sports is most likely
familiar with Mr. McKeon... He writes columns, articles, and blogs on a
quite regular basis pertaining to recent events in the NHL.  He gives
opinions on players and teams, and makes predictions.  Where he gets
his expertise, I'll probably never know... but what I do know, is that half
the time when I read his material, I think to myself:  "is this guy drunk,
or does he just always have problems using logic?"

Now don't get me wrong, I'm no hockey Guru by any means... but I do
understand the sport in great detail, and more importantly, I understand
the players (their strengths and weaknesses) and how those strengths
and weaknesses play a role inteam strategy... something Mr. McKeon
seems to overlook regularly despite his well established position.

To quote a passage of McKeon's recent article "Red Wings an
Unstoppable Force" (Posted May 19, 2008):

"When is the last time an opponent enjoyed success on the power play
against the Red Wings? It’s not just a matter of luck. Watch how
Detroit plays short-handed. No other team in the league is as aggressive
up the ice as the Wings.  They make opponents work for every inch of
ice even on the power play.

Detroit routinely sends a forechecker deeper than any other team when
short-handed.  The result? A rushed pass here, a poor decision there,
regrouping and wasted time in the power play. Oh, and short-handed
chances."

No one can debate the fact that the Detroit Red Wings have played 
boring, defensive hockey all season long.  They allowed very few goals 
during the regular season and often allowed fewer than 20 shots on goal a 
game.  Big deal.  They weren't playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins all 
season were they?  For that matter, the Detroit Red Wings and the 
Pittsburgh Penguins did not play each other even once during the 
2007-08 regular season.

What makes Mr. McKeon think that Detroit (or even Pittsburgh for that
matter) would dominate this series after both teams have shown
proficiency at overcoming whatever obstacle they are faced with so far
this postseason?

Detroit's penalty kill is aggressive and can create turnovers.  Pittsburgh's
powerplay is equally as effective though.  To say that Detroit will stifle
Pittsburgh's powerplay solely because the Red Wings contained Dallas',
Colorado's, and Nashville's powerplay units is just plain asinine
considering that Pittsburgh's powerplay outpreformed all three of these
teams by a wide margin during the regular season.  

Why when suggesting that Detroit's forwards are good at causing
shorthanded turnovers, did Mr. McKeon forget to mention that
Pittsburgh's defenders who handle and pass the puck do so better than 
almost anyone in the league?  There is a reason Sergei Gonchar had 46 
powerplay points this year, and it isn't from turning the puck over on the 
powerplay.  

Ross McKeon should give credit where credit is due.  To suggest that after 
dominating the competition throughout all stages of the playoffs thus far,
either team would suddenly forget how to play hockey just because a 
couple of old guys (or young guys - depending on the team) are skating on 
the same ice is them is ridiculous and appalling.  This series will last at 
least 6 games, because neither team played this well and came this far to 
lose any sooner than that.

Ross McKeon - Does he even follow the NHL?

2007-08 Stanley Cup Finals (Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings)

NHL

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are done
waiting for the Western Conference (and the rest of the league)
to catch up with them.  They will begin their final seven game series of 
the playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings this Saturday (May 24, 2008).  
The Detroit Red Wings eliminated the the Cinderella Dallas Stars in six
games for the chance to face Pittsburgh for the 2007-08 NHL 
Championship and the coveted Stanley Cup.

Detroit comes into the championship series with a stellar 12-4 record
and home ice advantage, but one can't help thinking they are huge
underdogs in this final series.  Pittsburgh has only lost 2 games so far in
the playoffs (and doesn't have more than one loss to any single
opponent); and has not been phased by last year's eastern conference
champions (Ottawa Senators), the 2007-08 season leader in shutouts 
(Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers), or the tough play of the
Broadstreet Bullies (Philadelphia Flyers).

These cold weather birds have faced nearly everything that professional
hockey has to offer from gritty back checking, to free-wheeling finesse
forwards, to stingy goaltending.  I cannot think of anything that the
Detroit Red Wings can throw at them that they haven't already seen,
and thoroughly conquered already during the playoffs.

What does Detroit have that can counter the balance and outright skill of
this Pittsburgh team?  Well, Detroit's fans are some of the best in the
sport, and they do have many players with years of playoff experience
and an amazing defensive core.  Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg
are two of the most gifted offensive talents in the game, and Detroit
does also have some amazing defensive grit in their forward core as well.

At the end of the day though, I'm not sure that all of Detroit's positives
will equal a Stanley Cup victory.  All the grit, offensive talent, and 
defensive experience in the world would still have trouble stopping 
Crosby, Malkin, Marion Hossa, and company right now.  They seem to
have that chemistry... that "something extra."  The air just seems to
blow their direction... The ice seems smoother and faster for them...
Their equipment seems lighter and less cumbersome... It seems as
though the Pittsburgh dynasty has begun.

Only time will tell what happens with these playoffs, but as for me, I'm
predicting that Pittsburgh wins in 6 (with some very entertaining and 
high-scoring games thrown in the mix).

2007-08 Stanley Cup Finals (Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings)

First Post - Welcome!!!

Welcome to my new blog!  This is the first post, so I just wanted to go on record before anything else, saying thanks for your interest!

First Post - Welcome!!!