Monthly Archives: January 2013

01.27.13
by

Rondo Torn ACL, Done For Season

Rondo was averaging 14 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds a game.

The Boston Celtics were dealt a major blow Sunday afternoon, learning that their All Star point guard had torn his ACL and is done for the year. Continue reading →

01.22.13
by

NHL 2013 Season Predictions

Stanley_Cup

NHL SEASON PREDICTIONS

 

Hockey is back after a lockout that many thought would never end.  Now the questions about actual games can start rolling in.  Here is a look at how the teams will finish this year, and the some of the biggest questions that will need to be answered.

 

Teams within each division are listed in order of finish

Eastern Conference

 

Atlantic                       Northeast       Southeastern

NY Rangers                 Boston             Washington

Pittsburgh                     Buffalo             Florida

Philadelphia                  Ottowa             Carolina

New Jersey                  Toronto            Tampa Bay

NY Islanders                Montreal          Winnipeg

 

Western Conference    

 

Central                        Northwest       Pacific

 

St Louis                        Minnesota        Phoenix

Chicago                        Vancouver        Los Angeles

Nashville                      Colorado          Dallas

Detroit                          Calgary            Anaheim

Columbus                     Edmonton         San Jose

 

Key Questions

 

Can Minnesota’s new pieces lead them to cup glory?

 

Minnesota will look to do what the Kings did last year, come out of nowhere and win the cup.  So far the Wild haven’t been known for glory in the playoffs.  This is not their year, although it may come sooner than people think.

 

Can the NY Rangers bounce back from an early playoff exit to win their first Stanley cup since 1994?

image

The Rangers had the talent to win it all last season and added a big piece (Rick Nash) in the offseason.  The pressure is on them this year perhaps more than any team in the NHL.  It won’t be easy but the Rangers should get it done.

 

Can Tuuka Rask carry the load in net now that Tim Thomas is taking the year off?

 

If Boston wants to make a serious playoff run Tuuka Rask has to be the man in the net.  Rask has done it before, starting45 games in 2009-10, and performed well while Tim Thomas was injured.  He finished that year with a 1.97 goals against average.  This season Rask must prove he is ready to be no. 1 and worthy of a long term deal which at this point he doesn’t have.  In this 48 game season he won’t be given much wiggle room, and neither will his team.

 

Was St. Louis winning the Presidents cup last season a fluke?

 

The Blues tallied 109 points despite key injuries throughout the season.  Now virtually the same team returns intent on not falling short in the playoffs.  The Blues are young in many keys areas.  Considering these factors alone, the answer is simple last season was not a fluke.

 

Will Roberto Luongo get dealt?

 

The bigger question could be is Corey Schneider ready to an unquestioned no. 1 goaltender.  Three are several teams that have significant questions in the net (i.e. Philadelphia, Colorado) so the chances are Luongo gets moved at some point.

Will the LA Kings defend repeat as champions?

la-kings-jonathan-quick-stanley-cup-finals

The Kings were a buzz saw in the playoffs after barely making it in.  This year they will have a target on their back and several teams made big moves to boost their chances.  Repeating is not easy in any sport, but it hasn’t been done in the NHL since the read Wings (97-98).  The Kings will give their best shot but the competition will be ready this time.

01.19.13
by

Hall of Famer Stan Musial dies at 92

St. Louis sports icon and MLB Hall of Famer Stan (The Man) Musial has died.  He was 92.  Musial played 22 MLB seasons (all with the Cardinals and had a career total of 475 HR and .321 life time battling average.

musial

Musial was elected to the MLB Hall of Fame in 1969 after being named on 93.2 percent of ballots.  He is also second all-time in total bases with 6,134.

01.18.13
by

2012 NFL Picks – Championship Sunday

It’s time for the 20th installment of “Sports with Balls” weekly NFL picks for year number four! We will make picks for every playoff  game, straight up and against the line.

Standings after the Divisional Round:

(Line) [Straight]{Year}

Bill Fucich (4-4)[4-4]{47-45-3}

Matt Sherman (4-4)[5-3]{32-60-3}

Glenn Coyle (4-4)[4-4]{43-49-3}

Michael Bedard (3-5)[4-4]{38-54-3}

Scott Boutcher  (3-5)[3-5]{43-49-3}

Mike Orzechowski (4-4)[6-2]{41-51-3}

Championship Sunday is here and ready to go, see picks below!

Continue reading →