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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Day: January 23, 2012

NHL Midseason Awards

Posted on by Ben Kerr
Malkin

We have officially passed the midpoint of the NHL season.  And so its time for a look at who are the favourites for the various NHL awards so far.  Here are my picks, along with an explanation for each.

 

Calder Trophy: Ryan Nugent Hopkins, C, Edmonton
38 games played, 13 goals 22 assists for 35 pts.

The 18 year old, exploded out of the gates this year, and showed the talent that made him the first overall selection in last June’s Entry Draft.  Despite being injured about 3 weeks ago, RNH still leads all rookies in Point production.  He’s shown that he’s an outstanding playmaker, and is well on his way to being one of the best passers in the game.  He should be back from his shoulder injury shortly, and I fully expect him to pick up right where he left off.  A major reason why the future looks bright in Edmonton, even if the present sucks.  Honourable mentions: Matt Read, C/W, Philly and Adam Henrique, C, New Jersey.

 

Jack Adams Trophy: Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues

The Blues struggled to start the season, and were the first club in the league to fire their coach, axing Davis Payne.  Ken Hitchcock took over and the team has gone on a tear never looked back.  He has the young blues team executing his defensive system to perfection.  Don’t believe me?  Just take a look at the stats that Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak have put up lately.  The Blues are now leading the entire NHL with only 96 goals against this season.  The Blues have 64 pts and are just one pt behind Detroit for 1st overall in not just the Western Conference, but the entire NHL. Honourable Mentions: Paul Maclean, Ottawa; Claude Julien, Boston.

 

Frank J. Selke Trophy: Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins

The Bruins have the best goal differential in the entire NHL at an absolutely incredible +70.  The next closest team is Detroit at +45.  This is in no small part due to the work put in by Bergeron this season.  Bergeron has become one of the best two way centres in the game, he’s able to play against other team’s best lines, and still produce at the offensive end.  He’s also an excellent Penalty Killer.  Bergeron is a +28 this season and it speaks to his excellent two way game.  Honourable Mentions: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit; and Mikko Koivu, Minnesota.

 

James Norris Trophy: Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators

The Sens are the biggest surprise team in the NHL this year, and Erik Karlsson is the biggest reason why.  With 46 points he’s not only the highest scoring Dman in the NHL, but is 12 points higher than his next highest competitor.  He’s playing over 25:00 per game and is a +7 for the Sens.  Karlsson is the straw that stirs the drink in Ottawa, he’s been enormous for them, and is deserving of all the praise he’s getting this season, including the starting spot in the All-Star game.  Honourable Mentions: Zdeno Chara, Boston; and Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit.

 

Georges Vezina Trophy: Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers

The Rangers are in First place in the Eastern Conference and only 1 pt behind the Wings for first place in the league..  King Henrik’s amazing season is the major reason why.  With a 1.93 Goals Against Average, and a 936 save percentage, he’s the key player on the team.  Lundqvist has provided the Rangers with excellent goaltending since joining the team, and this year he’s surpassed even his previous standard and is having a career year.  Lundqvist is the best goalie in the NHL this season, and deserves to win his first Vezina.  Honourable mentions: Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Jimmy Howard, Detroit Redwings

 

Hart Memorial Trophy: Evgeni Malkin, Penguins

The Penguins have been absolutely decimated by injuries this year.  They have only had Sidney Crosby in the lineup for 8 games.   Top Defenceman Kris Letang also missed significant time with a concussion.  Jordan Staal is out of the lineup long term as well.  These are the Pens key players.  Yet the team keeps fighting and is currently holding down a playoff spot.  Why?  Its in large part because in the abscence of Crosby; Malkin has become the best player in the NHL.  He is leading the league in pts despite playing less games than any of the other top 20 NHL scorers.  He has become a dominant force and is a threat to score or set up a goal on nearly every shift.  Geno is nearly singlehandedly keeping this Pens team afloat, and thats why he’s the league MVP at the half way point.  Honourable Mentions: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers.

 

…and thats the last word.

Undefeated Syracuse Falls to Notre Dame; Week in Review

Posted on by taketheleap

Eric Atkins (0) and Pat Connaughton (24) and their Notre Dame Fighting Irish handed former #1 Syracuse their first loss of the season.

I just had to say it, didn’t I? This past Wednesday, I wrote this: “With the matchups [Syracuse and Murray State] have this week, both are expected to carry that perfect record into next week.” Just had to say it. In a complete domination of a game, the Fighting Irish ended Syracuse’s bid for a perfect record with a 67-58 dismantling of the Orangemen. The final score makes it look closer than it really was. To the unhinged delight of the only Notre Dame fan I know, this game was over early.

Every team is entitled to an “off game”; this was Syracuse’s. How they play after this embarrassing loss will determine  if they are Final Four material, or if they are another case of lost potential. I am banking on the latter.

Syracuse can take comfort in the fact that they were not the only Top 10 team to lose in the past week. Here are the Points of Interest from this past week:

  • Kentucky (19-1) now moves into the top spot atop the Associated Press poll. Their only loss came on December 10th, to Indiana, 73-72
  • Baylor lost in embarrassing fashion to their conference rivals Kansas last Monday, 92-74. The loss drops the Bears from #3 to #6. Kansas moves up two spots to #5.
  • Duke lost on a buzzer-beating three by Florida State‘s Michael Snare, 76-73, Saturday afternoon. Snare finished the first half in the exact same fashion, silencing the crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke falls to #8 in the AP Poll. Florida State enters the rankings after beating UNC and Duke in consecutive weeks. They now sit atop the ACC with Duke and NC State at 4-1.
  • Michigan State lost to their cross-state rivals Michigan on Tuesday, 60-69, dropping them to #10.
  • Connecticut lost twice this past week; first on Wednesday to Cincinnati (70-67), then on Saturday to Tennessee (60-57). The Huskies drop to #24 from #13 in the AP Poll.
  • Murray State remains undefeated and has now matched Syracuse’s 20 consecutive wins. The Racers are now the only undefeated team in Division I. They should remain that way until next week, with their only matchup this week coming against Eastern Illinois. But then again, I said that about the Orange last week too.

 

Upcoming Games of Interest:

  • Ohio State (#4) hosts Michigan (#20); tip-off is Sunday, 1PM EST.
  • North Carolina (#7) hosts unranked-but-leading-the-ACC NC State; Thursday, 7PM EST.
  • Remember when Pittsburgh used to be ranked? The 11-9 Pitt Panthers take their mediocre show home to host #9 Georgetown; tip is Saturday, 4PM EST.
  • Florida (#14) hosts Mississippi State (#18) on Saturday, in what could be a turning point for both teams. Tip is 1:30PM EST.
  • Speaking of turning points, #16 Indiana travels to Wisconsin (#25), in what the Badgers hope will be a solid mark in their Madness resumé. Tip is Thursday, 9PM EST.
  • Virginia (#19), in their bid to rise to the top of the ACC, drive down to NC State on Saturday, hoping to topple the upstart Wolfpack from the top of the conference. Tip is 8PM EST.
  • Connecticut (#24) travels to play suddenly-relevant Notre Dame. Tip is Sunday, 1PM EST.

 

One loss and your season can come crumbling down; one off-day; one buzzer-beating shot; one unlucky bounce… and it’s all over until next year. Every team that has ever lost in March Madness knows this pain all too well. Syracuse now knows that pain. It’s what I love about college basketball. To borrow a phrase: On any given day, anyone can win.

… and that’s the last word.

UFC on FX 1: Ushering in a New Era

Posted on by Mark Modeski

Let’s get one things straight: MMA is a war – in every way, shape and form.

The UFC and FOX have promised us a series of wars over the next seven years. In November of last year they treated us to a preview of the violence we can expect, with a clear and decisive victory by way of knock-out by Junior Dos Santos. If that first event in November on was a preview, then the first official event on FX this past weekend was the very definition of what a war is…A series of hostile and decisive battles.

By that definition, the brass at UFC and FOX could not have possibly asked for more out of the event on Friday. Many felt that the one hour teaser that they were treated to in late-2011 left much to the hearts desire – a lot of talking, almost no fighting. This event, was four hours of decisive fights, showcasing up-and-coming talent across all of the weight classes in the UFC.

While the fights were great, leaving us like a room of George W. Bush cabinet members, wanting more – there were some moments where the old school UFC fans were definitely feeling like they were under order of a new regime. The production of the event felt less like a ZUFFA event, and more like a FOX Sunday football game (right down to the theme music); the whole thing felt over-saturated with commercials, commentators and an almost false sense of enthusiasm at times.

My biggest criticism was that of the commentating; I can forgive the over-the-top production value and commercial density – that’s just FOX being FOX. The absence of Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg, definitely left a void in the colour commentator category. Jon Anik and Kenny Florian were putting me to sleep with their commentating during the fights; and if not for the pace of the action, I very well may have. Like any war, the media plays an important role – if you fail at effectively speaking to people, your propaganda machine, and thusly support will start to die. Jon Anik and Jay Glazer sounded almost like they didn’t know what they were talking about – which is unfortunate, as it’s not true. This all said, a head bow to Ariel Helawani, I did enjoy his post-fight interviews (even if they did seem redundant).

When all is said and done, I look at this as being the first war in a conflict ridden world. It was the first full event, and for that I think it was a success! Yes, there are kinks to work out – but, it was a good watch and it was free. I just hope Dana White doesn’t lose too much creative control to FOX; that will be the true testament to the “partnership” over time.

Main Card Results:

– In the main even Jim Miller choked out Melvin Guillard  with a rear naked choke in the first round. I think Miller is poised for a title shot (despite his recent loss), and I think he is ready for it.

– Josh Neer returned to the UFC in style, with a first round guillotine choke on Duane Ludwig.

– In a battle of less experienced fighters, Mike Easton won a majority decision over Jared Papazian.

– In what was anointed the Fight of the Night (should have been KO of the Night too), Pat Barry finished off Christian Morecraft with a clean shot to the chin.

… and that is the last word.