Dec 15
Dec 15
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There is little that can make us feel similar to professional athletes, but when a host of Wild players came down with the flu these players seem much more ‘human’ than they did before. For a Wild team that has battled with inconsistency, the arrival of the flu has only given the Wild fans more reason to be apathetic about tonight’s game between the State of Hockey and the much-hated Anaheim Ducks. It was the original ‘Spanish Flu’ in 1919 that was the only year (prior to the lockout season of 2004-05) where a Stanley Cup was not awarded. Word was quickly passed that the Wild were going to be without veteran goaltender Niklas Backstrom due to this latest outbreak. The Ducks, just prior to the game made a big splash with a trade by sending young centreman Andy McDonald to the St. Louis Blues for veteran centre Doug Weight. Would the Wild be able to battle past the flu and the team’s own inconsistency to pull out a big win in Anaheim tonight?
From the drop of the puck, the Wild seemed to have an energy level Wild fans haven’t seen in a while. Anaheim seemed a bit lethargic, and simply hoping to keep up with the speedy Wild squad. Despite the high tempo game both teams were playing, scoring chances were few and far between. When the Ducks would be able to create scoring chances, Minnesota’s Josh Harding was up to the task. Minnesota was not just skating with speed, they were working hard to win battles for loose pucks along the boards. The Wild were creating chances of their own, with a nice chance by Brian Rolston. This great effort almost had Wild fans thinking to themselves, “is this the same team?” The Ducks would get a great chance, when former Vancouver Canuck Todd Bertuzzi would use a good power move to generate a close in chance on Harding that the Regina, Saskatchewan native would deflect away. As sudden as Bertuzzi’s attempt was thwarted, the Wild’s Aaron Voros would add to the growing folklore growing about him amongst Wild fans when he would race in on Jean-Sebastien Giguere and beat the Ducks goaltender to put Minnesota up 1-0. This unassisted effort was critical in building some confidence for a team that has little to feel good about (both literally and figuratively) lately. A shocked Honda Centre crowd seemed rather deflated by the Wild’s excellent play in the 1st period, carrying a 1-goal lead going into the 2nd.
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Dec 15
Venus Williams graduated in fashion design from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, and the Williams family certainly had a good time throughout the day. The celebration continued into the evening with the graduation after party and launch of Venus’ EleVen clothing line in Miami.
Who was there to support Venus? Father Richard, mother Oracene Price, boyfriend Hank Kuehne, and of course sister Serena, famous for always being ready for partying.
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Dec 15
Philadelphia Phantoms
PHILADELPHIA – Stefan Ruzicka scored the shootout winner as the Philadelphia Phantoms edged the Toronto Marlies 2-1 Friday in American Hockey League action.
Robbie Earl put the North Division-leading Marlies (16-5-0-5) on the board first at 9:16 on the first period for his sixth of the year. Darryl Boyce and Phil Oreskovic registered assists on the marker.
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Dec 15
Jonathon Blum
The Nashville Predators signed Jonathon Blum, their first round pick from the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, to a three-year contract on Friday, reports CKNW-980 in Vancouver.
The 18-year-old blue-liner was drafted 23rd overall by the Predators and will suit up for Team U.S.A. at the IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic.
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Dec 15
MIAMI (AP) – Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga is discussing the sale of his struggling franchise to two real estate developers, The Associated Press has learned.
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Dec 15
Jean-Claude Darcheville said Rangers’ elimination from the Champions League was his fault. He missed a sitter that would have levelled Wednesday’s match at Ibrox with Lyons at 1-1 with fewer than 10 minutes to go. Rangers needed a point to reach the knock-out stages but 19-year-old Karim Benzema, who has already scored three goals for France in eight appearances since his debut in March, hit two more for the visitors and it was all over. Darcheville then got a red card for stupid petulance late on.
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Dec 15
AUSTRALIA’S newly-crowned world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore capped off a memorable week by winning the season-ending Billabong Pro in Maui.
Gilmore defeated fellow Australian and defending event champion Jessi Miley-Dyer in the final at Honolua Bay.
The 19-year-old sensation dominated in the inconsistent, one-metre waves to finish with a heat total of 10.33 to her opponent’s 8.36 final score.
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Dec 15
FABIO Capello’s appointment as the new England manager was finalised today with the Italian taking charge on a four and a half year contract reportedly worth $A15.19 million a year.
The Italian, 61, succeeds Steve McClaren, who was sacked last month after a Wembley defeat by Croatia ensured that England would not qualify for the finals of Euro 2008.
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Dec 15
Rising seniors Steph Graf (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks East) and Amanda Faust (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) will lead the Bucknell Field hockey team as captains for the 2008 season, head coach Heather Lewis recently announced. The two All-Patriot League performers were elected by team members and coaching staff.
This season, Graf started in all 17 games for the Bison and recorded two points with two assists. She also led the Bison with five defensive saves and was named second-team All-Patriot League for the third time in her career. Recently, Graf earned the Tracy Bass Award for Intensity, given at the annual team banquet, for the second-consecutive season. In her sophomore season, she was selected to the All-Mideast Region team.
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