Sloppy Seconds

Anyone who follows the NHL just a bit knows that Sean Avery will be making his return to the New York Rangers fairly soon, and I find it funny how I heard all Rangers fans say good riddance to him, but now that they are in a push to make the playoffs this is the best thing that could happen.

With the standings in the Eastern Conference as close as they are no team can really afford to make any mistakes. As of Feb. 26, five points separate 6th from 10th in the East, and the Rangers have made it clear they are not going to down without trying something drastic. They are hoping that a new coach and the return of Avery will spark this team, and give them enough momentum into the playoffs.

I heard some harsh words about Avery being allowed back into the league, and I do not see why this is a problem. While what he said was stupid it was even more stupid to practically exile him from the league for it. Worse players have done worse things and received a slap on the wrist for it.

The only issue for the Rangers is going to be is he ready yet?

I got a chance to see Avery in Lowell as the Lowell Devils took on the Hartford Wolfpack (see photo above), the Rangers AHL affiliates, (for the record it still angers me to see a hockey team in Hartford that is not the Whalers). While the Wolf Pack won it was not a productive day for Avery. More then half the time on ice he looked to be playing at half speed. That can not be a positive sign for the Rangers unless he feels ready after that layoff and is just coasting through the AHL (more then probable). The only way to find out is to wait and see what happens.

On another note I have to question the choices by the Devils. Why would you send Scott Clemmensen back to Lowell rather then use him as your backup? Obviously Brodeur is the #1 guy now that he is back, and not just on the team but maybe all-time (feel free to prove me wrong Roy and Hasek fans). But Clem went 25-13-2 with a GAA of 2.39 in his absence, and carried this team to a division lead. He should be the backup to Brodeur rather than Kevin Weekes

Days of Blunder

Brace yourselves folks we are actually going to talk about NASCAR. Another topic that will get either fan or hate mail. Or any response i hope. For anyone who did not know the Auto Club 500 took place Sunday at the, you guessed it, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. The race itself seemed to have gone on without any problem. The big isuue I have is the location of the race.

NASCAR five years ago took this date away from Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina, and gave it to Fontana. This is not the one and only case where staple tracks have lost races to newer tracks out west. Darlington Raceway in South Carolina gave up its traditional Labor Day weekend spot to Fontana and lost one of it's two races so Texas Motor Speedway could have another.

While I am not just complaining that they are taking away too many races in the East to expand to the Western fans, they need to be a bit more intelligent about it. Fontana having a race last weekend was only able to sell about half of their seats, and this has been a problem for this track in the past. While the economy could contribute to that there is just something about haveing a race in Southern California the same night as the Oscars, that will make it always be second place.

That is a tough race to have that early. Tracks like Richmond and Rockingham have had weather issues in the past, but there are plenty of warm weather places such as previously mentioned Texas or Phoenix that sell out every time they host a race.

The other problem is the fact they are removing original tracks for the same cookie-cutter shaped track. While original designs like the short track of North Wilkesboro, and the egg shaped track of Darlington are being slowly removed tracks like Kansas and Chicago are appearing with the same exact 1.5 mile tri-oval shaped used by another four different venues.

There has been talk of taking a race from New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a track that has sold out everytime in the past decade for another race in Las Vegas. While is s need to sretch out a fan base, there is also an ability to overdue it and lose some true fans who have been there for many years.

Grade of the Trade

Now that the NBA trade deadline passed several teams made obvious statements about their feelings regarding the rest of the season through their trades. Some teams tried to reassure their fans that there is no giving up, while some said the complete opposite and said we will try again next year.

It is interesting how one trade made two complete different statements from two different teams. The Orlando Magic acquiring Rafer Alston from the Rockets in a three team deal by giving up Mike Wilks, Adonal Foyle Brian Cook and a first round pick was their way of saying we are not just willing to settle for the No. 3 seed, and we are not going to fold it in now that Jameer Nelson is out for the season.

On the opposite end of the spectrum it seems as though the Houston Rockets basically told their fans in that trade that we are giving up on this season, and just going to try to rebuild next year. Maybe the thought of Tracy McGrady out for the season took all the wind out of them, it seems like they have been disappointed from the beginning of the season, and now are just giving up.

Then there are the teams who proved they are all talk and no action. Since November it seemed the Celtics and Cavaliers constantly talked about acquiring one more piece to complete the team. However, the Cavs just sat there quietly during the deadline and the Celtics did nothing but prepare themselves for the 2015-2016 season, they may regret that now that Garnett is out for a couple of weeks.

The Hornets now have the awkward moment ahead of them where they attempted to trade Tyson Chandler in an obvious salary dump, and then had to take him back. While I do not anticipate any major backlash from that it is a scenario that no team wants to have to deal with. And it is a shame this team went from a No. 2 seed last year to now making obvious moves to free up cap space.

The biggest disappointment however was that the trade that I hope every year will happen did not once again. There still needs to be a trade where Utah trades the right to the name Jazz back to New Orleans so we can stop this ridiculous concept of there being music in Utah.

Rivalries are not Just on the Field.

The Mullins Center (right) in Amherst want to let the visiting team know exactly how they feel about them.

There rarely is a bigger game on any athlete’s schedule then the game against the rival team. The rivalry game is the one that is circles on every athlete's calendar. A rivalry game can bring out the best of the already elite players. All the hatred built up over the course of the season tends to be unleashed when a rival appears on the schedule.

However, there is more then just one reason that makes a player and a fan’s blood boil when their arch enemy comes into town.

Rivalries are created for many reasons. The pursuit of a ridiculous trophy, a battle for bragging rights in a certain area of the country, or the fact that the same team seems to stand in the way of a quest for a championship every year. The biggest rivalries are formed from all of those factors.

The two names that stand out in terms of college hockey rivals are Boston College and Boston University. A rivalry commonly referred to as the Green Line Rivalry, or the Battle of Commonwealth Avenue, the Terriers and Eagles have seven national championships, and 43 Beanpot championships between them. Neither team can earn a trophy without the other team standing in their way.

“There is no better rivalry in hockey then BC vs. BU,” said Shawn Vernon, a former student at Boston University. “The students always knew when the Eagles were coming down Commonwealth Ave, and we wanted to be ready for them.”

Fans at Kelley Rink in Boston College can not stand the cheers of Boston University fans.

The rivalry is not just on the ice, however. Every time two rival teams meet, the fans for each side take shots at each other and the players from in the stand. While no fan wants to be embarassed by their team's perofrmance, having this happen in front of the rival crowd is the worst. Michael Healey, a junior and season ticket holder to Boston College says there are no worse fans then BU.

“At least when any other teams bring their fans it is to cheer on their own team,” he said. “All BU fans do is try to annoy us, and tell us why we are going to lose.”

Schools in the Boston area have a larger history of championships, but the fight to prove that their team is the best still exists. For some the fun of the rivalry may not be as much on the ice as it is in the crowds.

Matt Lee, a junior from UMass Amherst, likes to prove that his school is the best at showing their pride towards their team, even if they are not at the top of the standings.

“My school (UMass Amherst has the best chants and greatest spirit,” he said “Other fans that come to our arena can not top our noise.”

Fans say the worst thing that can happen is that their rival is able to make a factor in crowd noise and atmosphere. Fans here at the Tsongas Arena have seen this happen a few times too many in the past. This year, with the average attendance up by an extra 700 fans it is no longer a problem.

John Edson, a junior at UMass Lowell, feels as though the Tsongas Arena can be one of the toughest places to play.

“Sitting in the student section in the middle of it all is nothing short of electrifying,” he said. “The Tsongas is the best place to play. I dare any other fans to come to our place and try to drown out our fans now.”

Although everyone hates their rival fans, they are the thing that keep the game interesting, and one of the reasons to keep attending.

"There is no better feeling then being able to shut up the other team's crowd. You know once that happens it means you have one two different battles," Edson said.

Rancid Rankings

This one should prove who is actually reading my blog. I should expect a lot of praise and/or hate mail for this post. The rankings for this week just came out in NCAA hockey. There is no issue with the top as Boston University belongs at #1, but further down there is a big question that needs to be answered.

"Why is Boston College even ranked?"

Last weekend the Eagles gave up three points to UMass Lowell in a home and home series. This included a 6-0 beat down that the River Hawks handed them at Conte Forum. Do not think for a second I am trying to be biased or a homer. This is in no way saying that Lowell should be ranked and not Boston College, but it seems odd that Boston College can be dominated like that, yet only move down a couple spots in the rankings.

As a matter of fact this has not been a good season for BC. Currently they are No. 6 in Hockey East with a record of 8-8-5. They are behind unranked UMass Lowell. Schools like Canisius and Niagara have records equal or better and are not even receiving votes. Their record against currently ranked teams is 3-6-2. The last of those three wins came in the middle of November against a New Hampshire team using their backup goalie with a GAA of 4.66. Not the most impressive stats.

It seems as though this team is being ranked because of their name, and not their numbers. Aside from the great comeback by Brock Bradford, there is not much to scream about for the Eagles. Forwards Joe Whitney and Ben Smith are on pace score only half the points they did last season.

Goaltender John Muse is giving BC fans fits with his year, causing one BC fan to demand a pie be thrown at him during their 6-0 loss. His GAA jumped from 2.2 to 2.92 in a year, and it has been worse lately. In the past five games he has allowed six goals in a game twice, and has a GAA of 3.8. Although I can not just point out the bad he did have a shutout against UMass Amherst in one of those games.

Still a shutout against the minuteman does not grant a national tournament birth. The fact this team is even close to being on the bubble for one is mind boggling. Although I am a believer that Hockey East should have a minimum of three, maybe four, tournament bids a year, barring an amazing performance in the Hockey East tournament, BC should not have one. I know the classic saying to be the champs you have to beat the champs, but it seems as though this team is pretty beaten up already.

The Home Opener

Today is a day of changes. While Brett Favre leaves (again), I finally started my blog. The only difference is I will stick to my decision and not try to annoy all of my followers.

Which as long as we are on the subject of the J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!, let's take a look at this rumor. There has been talks on places like ESPN and other sites discussing the possibility of Kurt Warner going to the Jets. At least Steve Serby of the New York Post thinks this is a great idea. But unfortunately fro him anyone outside of New York/New Jersey has one question, "How is this a good idea?"

Why on earth would Kurt Warner leave a team that just reached the Super Bowl with arguably the best receiver in the game (best tandem if Anquan Boldin decides to stay), for a team that seems to already be in desperation mode after an above .500 record last season. Also, no offense to Jericho Cotchery and Laverneus Coles, but they are no Fitzgerald or Boldin, maybe not even a Steve Breston, but that's another issue for another time.

Worst part for the Jets is this is not even the main reason to avoid the team. I know he has taken quite a few hits since then but Warner needs to remember that he tried to be a starting quarterback at Giants Stadium before. And we all know how that worked out.

Not to ruin the ideas of as Greg Easterbrook calls them Jersey/B, but there really is no reason Kurt Warner should be willing to sprint out of the warm Arizona desert for a team that will always be second-fiddle in their own stadium. Take it from this guy. All it will lead to is retirement and scrutiny. (I think).