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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Day: April 25, 2012

And Just Like That, the Bruins Are Out!

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

The series was one I was actually quite excited about, and the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals delivered! In a hard-fought back-and-forth series, the teams delivered right to the end.  In fact, each of the seven games were won by a single tally.

Coming into the seventh game at the Boston Garden, the hometown Bruins had the slight edge – they are defending champions, have an elite netminder, and were in the friendly (to them) confines of the Garden.  But, Washington’s secret weapon, goaltender Braden Holtby had something else to say.  Holtby, the Caps third choice in net, has come out of nowhere after injuries to Washington’s top two keepers.

Tonight’s contest was physical, obviously.  After 60 minutes the teams were at a standstill, knotted at ones.  Overtime, however, was quickly settled after a Mike Knuble steal in the neutral zone, a shot on net, and a Joel Ward rebound passed a stunned Timmy Thomas.  The Garden fell silent, Ovie lost his mind, and the defending champs and their fans have a long ride home tonight.

Washington 2 – Boston 1

…and that is the last word.

Champions League: The Spanish Giants crash out!

Posted on by Luciano Giuliano

The unthinkable has happened! The Spanish giants – Barcelona and Real Madrid – crash out of the Champions League after the semi-final second legs in Spain!

The first leg in Germany ended in a 2-1 result for the German side with Mario Gomez bagging the game winner in the dyeing moments of the game after Mesut Ozil temporarily equalised for the Merengues.

All Real Madrid needed is a 1-0 win to advance to the final; Bayern needing only a scoreless draw. But, the Germans are always tough competition especially with the motivation of playing at home in the final.

Luck was swinging in Madrid’s direction as David Alaba of Munich handled the ball in the box in the 6th minute. Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and converted the penalty. 1-0 Real Madrid! 2-2 on aggregate.

Ronaldo was not done yet as he doubled Los Blancos’ tally with a second goal in the 14th minute, giving Real Madrid a 2-0 lead in the game and 3-2 on aggregate. He has scored 10 goals in 10 matches in this year’s edition of the Champions League and a whopping 42 goals in La Liga. Stupendous!

Bayern now needed a goal to equalise and to force extra time. Lo and behold, their prayers were answered in the 27th minute! Dutch international, Arjen Robben popped in the aggregate equaliser from the penalty spot as Mario Gomez was pushed in the area by Real defender Pepe. 3-3 on aggregate!

It ended 2-1 at the end of regulation and needed extra time to decide the encounter. After the added 30 minutes, the match terminated with no goals poached by either side. Off to the dreaded PKs we go!

The Germans were up first and sent 19-year old Austrian youngster, David Alaba who converted successfully. 1-0 Bayern!

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo remarkably had his penalty saved. Still 1-0 Bayern!

Mario Gomez was up next and converted with ease putting Bayern up 2-0!

Second half Madrid substitute, Kaka, placed the ball low and firm but was also stopped by Manuel Neuer – the Bayern ‘keeper. Still 2-0 Bayern at this point!

Kroos side-footed his effort but was directed low and was stopped easily by Iker Casillas. It remained 2-0 Bayern!

Next was Spanish playmaker, Xabi Alonso, who converts and finally puts the Merengues on the scoreboard. 2-1 Bayern!

Bayern captain, Philipp Lahm had the chance to put the Germans up by 2 goals but failed to penetrate the goal line as he was denied by a comfortable save by the Madrid No 1. 2-1 Bayern!

Here it is! Madrid’s final chance. Sergio Ramos steps up to take it. He runs, stutters, runs again, winds up, and……blasts it over the net! 2-1 Bayern!

It all comes down to Bayern’s last shot. None other than German-born Bastian Schweinsteiger is chosen to shoot last. If Casillas stops it, Real has a chance to tie. If it is converted, the Germans go through. Schweiny steps up and drives the ball high and to the right leaving Casillas no chance as he dives the wrong way! 3-1Bayern!

This result sets up a Bayern Munich v Chelsea final at the Allianz Arena in Germany on May 19.

The Spanish giants are out! Who would have thought?!

…and that’s the last word!

NHL Draft Prospect Profile #20: Pontus Aberg

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Drafted 37th Overall by the Nashville Predators.

 

Pontus Aberg (Åberg) is the third of the trio of Swedish “berg’s” we have ranked in the first round.  He follows the previously profiled Filip Forsberg and Sebastian Collberg.  Aberg is a left winger who has spent the majority of this season playing for Djurgardens in the Swedish Elite League.  Aberg was nominated for the Elitserien rookie of the year award but eventually lost out to Minnesota Wild Prospect Johan Larsson.

Left Wing
Born Sep 23 1993 – Stockholm, Swe.
Height 5.11 — Weight 187 — Shoots R

2011-12 Djurgardens IF Stockholm SEL 47 8 7 15 6 -3

Aberg burst onto the scouting scene at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka tournament, and never looked back.  He also played for Sweden at the 2011 IIHF World Under 18 tournament.  Aberg combined to score 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points over just 9 games in the two tournaments.   Aberg also made this year’s Swedish World Junior Championship Team, however he suffered an injury in the pre-tournament exhibition games and was forced out of the tournament.

They say that speed kills, and if thats true then Aberg is a stone cold killer.  He’s an extremely fast skater, with great top end speed.  He’s agile and shifty, has great balance, good acceleration, and excellent edgework.  Aberg combines this skating with an excellent arsenal of shots.  He has a hard, heavy wrist shot which he gets off quickly thanks to a great release.  He also has a heavy slapshot and a good one timer.  Aberg is a good stickhandler who makes creative moves and is able to beat defenders off the rush.  Aberg is a much better goal scorer than a set up man.  He definitely prefers to shoot rather than pass.  As a set up man, he lacks ideal vision and passing instincts.

Aberg is courageous player, how loves to get involved involved in physical play.  He is willing to battle hard on the boards and works hard to get to the front of the net.  Aberg is an aggressive forechecker who just loves to get in and hit the man with the puck.  He’s an absolute fearless player.  Aberg will need to put on more size and strength to continue to play this style at the next level.

Aberg is a hard working defensive player, and a willing backchecker.  However he lacks natural defensive instincts, and often has a tendency to get out of position by running around in his own end.  His defensive game can best be described as a work in progress.

We compare Aberg’s game to a cross between Brian Gionta of the Montreal Canadiens, and Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders.  We feel he has the potential to become a goal scoring top 6 winger at the next level.

… and thats the Last Word.