The Eagles have landed. Last night, at Ford Field in Detroit, Boston College blanked the Wisconson Badgers 5 - 0, shutting down Hobey Baker award winner Blake Geoffrion and the rest of the Wisconsin squad. It was come-uppance for BC's 2006 loss to the Badgers. The rivalry will persist, as it has for many decades. You can't keep the Wisconsin men down for long.
A bit further east and south, there was an NHL game in Newark NJ. The Devils, needing two points to clinch the Atlantic Division top spot, came up with 7 goals in one game against the NY Islanders. They allowed only 1 goal against, on a Buffalo power play in the third period.
A week or so ago, there were doubts about the Devs' offensive goal-scoring capability. A drought had come upon the NJ team. But over the last 4 games, the Devils have scored 16 goals. Perhaps they have emerged from the wilderness, just in time for the playoffs.
Today is the last day of the NHL regular season. The Devils play the Buffalo Sabres. One point separates these teams in the Eastern Conference. The winner of today's game gets second seed (and plays against the 7th seed in the Conference). The loser will be seeded third, facing the #6 seed (Boston Bruins).
Seventh seed is up for grabs today between Philadelphia and Montreal. The Canadiens' regular season is finished, and they occupy 7th place in the east. If Philly beats the Rangers today, the Flyers will move into 7th and the Rangers will be able to enjoy the golf links starting tomorrow. If the Rangers win, Philly is out and the Blue Shirts will face Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
One other contest is happening today (no, I don't mean the US Masters Tournament). Three NHLers are vying for the Rocket Richard Trophy, given to the player who scores the most goals in one regular season. Ovechkin has 50. Crosby has 49. Stamkos has 50. Who? Steven Stamkos, #1 pick in the 2008 entry draft, a 20-year old in his second season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, that's who. He just happens to be the third-youngest player ever to reach the 50 goal mark. The other two were Jimmy Carson and Wayne Gretsky. Carson flamed out after his initial success. Gretsky made history. It will take a few more seasons to see where Stamkos is headed.
The Stanley Cup playoffs start on Wednesday April 14. It was just 42 days ago that the Olympic playoffs ended. This constellation of playoffs happens only once every four years. Olympics are done. College has wrapped up. With the cherry blossoms flowering on the banks of the Potomac, the NHL second season is about to begin. Eight matchups will be known by the end of this day.
Hockey rules.
No comments:
Post a Comment