Being a Boston Sports Fan

Ok it was only a matter of time before I was going to write about this. I have lived in Boston my whole life and these past few years have been the best time to be a sports fan in Boston. We have seen six titles since February 2002. We have seen three Superbowl titles, two World Series, and now the Celtics. (I actually say there is seven: I count the comeback against the Yankees in 2004 as a title win). In addition, the Bruins made it to the playoffs this year. They took Montreal to game seven. The Revolution (MLS) have been to the finals the last three years. There are many college titles and great runs in the New England area including a college hockey team, not to be mentioned, that has won two national titles since 2001.

Sorry, but the parades do not get old. I am lucky; the parade route goes by the building I work at so I have a prime seat. I work in the same building shown on the TV show Boston Legal so we watch from the balcony that Denny and Alan smoke their cigars at the end of a tough day of legal work……Just kidding there is no such balcony but I do have a prime seat from the building. In my opinion the 2004 Red Sox parade was the best, even if it was a cold and rainy day.

The problem is some of the younger kids here in Boston don’t know what it is like to go through bad sports times in Boston. With the Red Sox, "Wait 'til next year” was our famous saying and you could actually get tickets to the game. What about the Patriots? Remember when home games were “blacked out” in the area because the home games were not sold out? As for the Celtics, the death of Len Bias and years later Reggie Lewis was the beginning of the end of a great run. And finally, the Bruins: well they have always had a loyal fan base through the good times and bad.

Yes, we had a similar run in the eighties. The Patriots had the miracle run to the Superbowl only to be blown out by the Bears. The Red Sox went to the '86 World Series and all is forgiven, Bill Buckner, it was never your fault; it was a team lost. We all forget that in the next game, game seven, you went 2 for 4 and scored a run. The Celtics' win in '86. The Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup finals in '88 only to lose to the Oilers. This was also a great time because it was unexpected…other than the Celtics.

As Boston Sports fans we are a little spoiled. We now begin to expect that the Sox will make the playoffs, the Pats will make their Super bowl run and now the Celtics could be a dynasty. All that is left is the Bruins, so who knows if they will join the title party. I hope so!

All I know is it's great to be a Boston sports fan. We should enjoy the run because as history has shown us the run will end and all we will have are the stories of the great times as a Boston sports fan.

BU & Sioux Players selected at the NHL 2008 Draft

The following players associated with BU and UND have been drafted in the 2008 NHL Draft:

Pick /Team /Player
7 /Nashville/ Colin Wilson
36 /NY Islanders/ Corey Trivino
56/ Montreal /Danny Kristo
66/ NY Islanders/ David Toews
81/ Buffalo/ Corey Fienhage
90 /Detroit/ Matt Nicastro
94/ Atlanta/ Vinny Saponari
95 /St. Louis /David Warsofsky
158/ Toronto/Grant Rollheiser
159/Phoenix/Brett Hextall
188/Toronto/Andrew MacWilliam
192/Chicago/ Joe Gleason

Colin Wilson Drafted by Nashville Predators

Colin Wilson was drafted by Nashville Predators in the 7th pick. Now the Colin Wilson watch will begin. Does he go Pro or stay with BU.

Corey Fienhage

Twincites.com has an article on Corey Fienhage, a defensive recruit for UND. Just think of the size of the UND defense with Finley at 6-4, LaPoint at 6-3, and Fienhage at 6-2.

2008 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp

The roster for the US National Junior Development camp has been announced. It includes Danny Kristo a UND recruit and five players connected with Boston University. The BU players include current players; Colin Wilson, Colbly Cohen, Kevin Shattenkirk and two recruits; Vinny Saponari and David Warsofsky.

It would be fun to see the Wilson, vanRiemsdyk, Schroeder line again.

Wilson and Trivino - USA Today Mock NHL Draft

USA Today has a NHL mock draft with two BU connections going in the first round. They have Colin Wilson going ninth to the Nashville Predators and Corey Trivino going twenty fifth to the Montreal Canadians.

Good Luck Guys!

Big Papi becomes a US citizen

Ok, it's not hockey, but it's great news. David Ortiz became a US citizen today at the JFK Library. I guess being on the DL is not all that bad.

Congratulations Big Papi... it's a proud day in Red Sox Nation.

Finley to Return...The news keeps getting better

Brad Elliott Schlossman reported today in the GrandForks Herald that big Joe Finley will be returning to UND for his senior year. BUCKY look out!

Garrett Clarke to QMJHL

Heath Hotzler wrote in today's GrandForks Herald that Garrett Clarke will back out of his verbal commitments to the USHL Fargo Force and UND to go play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. This decision will make him ineligible for NCAA college hockey.

One GM thinks Colin Wilson may be ready for the NHL.

The Boston Globe has a note on Colin Wilson today. It's the GM comment that worries me.........

Loose pucks

Boston University forward Colin Wilson, projected to be drafted high in the first round, may have climbed even more with an outstanding performance in the NHL combine in Toronto. Wilson might even be ready to play in the NHL in 2008-09, according to one GM . .

Nice article on Colin Wilson in The Vancouver Sun

The following is a nice article in The Vancouver Sun on Colin Wilson.

Proposed Rule Changes – Good or Bad?

The NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee proposed several changes. These changes are intended to allow student-athletes to use their speed and skill to create scoring opportunities.

The NCAA noted that: Protection of the puck carrier and faceoff protocols were identified as the committee’s points of emphasis. The committee believes officials have properly handled obstruction away from the puck, but believes the puck carrier must be afforded more opportunities to make offensive plays. In the area of faceoffs, the committee will continue to emphasize the administration of the line change procedure and increase the enforcement of interference and obstruction fouls immediately after a faceoff.

The Proposed changes are as follows:

Two-referee, two linesman system.

I think overall this is a good proposal. However, I do agree with comments made about the WCHA on the blog GOON’s World.

Goals scored by kicking. The committee spent a considerable amount of time discussing goals that are scored with the use of the skate. To make this rule as clear as possible, the group proposed adjustments to its rules that will allow all goals scored as a result of deflections. This will include deflections off an attacking player who is in the act of stopping, provided neither skate is used to direct the puck into the net. Pucks that are directed or kicked with the skate moving toward the goal will not be allowed.

This is a good change; however it is still all about referee judgment. The rule needs to be very clear and interpreted consistently amongst the referees.

Shootout. The committee voted to maintain the traditional game structure (60 minutes, followed by a five-minute overtime), but will allow interested conferences to use shootouts at their discretion. This will in no way alter national rankings or the NCAA championship selection process.

Bottom line; leave this alone. However, if a conference considers a shoot out; it should be for the extra point and not winner of the shootout takes all.

Icing. The committee approved a proposal dealing with icing. The rule will not allow a team that ices the puck to change its on-ice personnel.

This is a good change. A team should not receive a benefit for icing the puck.

Faceoff locations. Starting next season, all faceoffs will be conducted at one of the nine faceoff spots.

Not sure the impact of this.

Overall, I think the above proposals will help the play of the game. I guess we have to see what happens in July when the Rules Panel votes.

Kozek to Return for Senior Year

Brad Elliott Schlossman reported in the GrandForks Herald that Andrew Kozek has informed UND that he will be back for his senior year. This is great news!

Chorney to attend Oliers Development Camp

Kevin Prendergast, of the Edmonton Oilers announced that Talyor Chorney has been added to the roster for the team's upcoming Development Camp.