Summary of the Phantoms/Monarchs Game

The first period of the Phantoms/Monarchs game was pretty evenly matched…..at first. Nic Riopel the 21 year old goaltender who started his Phantom career on a shutout victory gave up 2 goals within 20 seconds of each other. It was really bizarre to watch, in an attempt to write notes about the game I was startled by the quick wrap around goal by Clune moments after the first by Holloway. In defense of Riopel, his teammates didn’t offer him much defense, it was completely collapsing. The game was tied 0-0 until the last 3 minutes of the game. Tired legs to blame? No excuse they were switching players out regularly and not only that I felt at the most inconvenient times as well. One minute left to play the Phantoms are on a break away guarded by 3 Monarch defenders and the coach calls to switch out players? Really? If they had men on the ice and not a lone solider maybe a play could have been executed and maybe a goal! That in my opinion would have been fantastic incentive for the team and a positive end to a lousy last couple of minutes in the first period. Shots on goal for the Phantoms 8 and for the Monarchs 15.
Three seconds into the second period FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!! Anyone that attends a hockey game loves a good brawl. The gloves go, helmets, and sticks fly and its on! The best part is the refs standing watching these guys go blow for blow. They are smart actually because if you do attempt to break it up they are likely to get socked with a left hook themselves. Usually a fight is officially over when someone is knocked off their feet or drilled up against a wall. All and all, clearly the Phantoms had some frustration that needed some attending to after the first period. The refs for the most part let the players play and minimal penalties were called unless they were blatant. Four minutes into the second period the Phantoms get a power play opportunity. Again the defense collapsed into submission of the Monarchs offense and they paid dearly for it. Goal 3 scored by Nolan. The Monarchs capitalized on what should have been an advantage for the Phantoms and with the next 5 minutes 3 more goals were scored on Riopel. Yes, 3 more goals. It was a bad second period for the Phantoms as well as Riopel. Shortly afterwards there was a goalie change from Riopel to Brian Stewart. Stewart sparked new life into the Phantoms defense as well as the offense. The man to man coverage worked in the Phantoms favor and Eric Wellwood scored the first goal for the Phantoms. Finally some life was added to the team and the defensive hustle picked up. But regardless of that or even player transition for the Monarchs they seamlessly lined back up on defense, much better than the Phantoms had the entire game. Even their puck handling skills were much superior as well. They made it look way to easy. Shot on goal for the Phantoms 16 total (another 8 for the period) while the Monarchs had 28 total.
The third period brought about more key goaltending from Stewart. The opponents goaltender faired very well also (Jones). He would taunt the Phantoms by slapping his stick on the ice, kinda like anytime now I’m ready for you. This entire game was first of a game of catch up for the Phantoms and second off strictly defense due to the lack of opportunity for a breakaway or shut down of the Monarchs defense. With 8 minutes left Greg Moore scored the Phantoms second goal. With 5 minutes to go the Monarchs had a huge advantage on the ice. It was 3 on 5. With the way the Phantoms defense had played all game, I think everyone was holding their breathe. Again Stewart saved the day deflecting shots and catching a racing puck to his net. Great display of goalkeeping on his part. The Phantoms managed the rest of the game without any other goals scored against them or without any more goals scored by them.
The new head coach Joe Paterson has his work cut out for him, but the Phantoms have a remarkable fan base within the Glens Falls community. The team does have heart and drive, they showed it throughout the game even with a 6 goal deficit, they never gave up. For more information or for tickets visit http://www.phantomshockey.com

Phantoms Footage After Second Goal First Period

Atmosphere at the Phantoms Game

First and foremost before we go into detail about the Phantoms/Monarchs game I feel it necessary to explain the atmosphere at the event. Upon arrival a large crowd had formed outside the Glens Falls Civic Center for tickets. Families and friends gathered to their seats and many had Phantoms scarves, jerseys, and hats on. It has been a long time I have attended an AHL game and saw such dedication amongst the fans. The community really has embraced the team. They cheered during good plays, taunted the other goalie (as well as there own), and even though the Phantoms were down by 4 goals, they stayed until the bitter end! It was refreshing to see kids dancing to the music and the youth hockey team sliding all over the ice on their skates. It reminded me when I was a kid going to Capital District Islander games. They do have incentives to get people to return to games such as a zambonie ride and autographed merchandise. I can’t wait to attend the next game and talk with the fans. The Phantoms don’t have the best record this year, in fact the most wins that they have had were in the month of December. So why do fans return to the games? Is it a love for the game? Is it a love for the Phantoms? Or is it merely something to do and somewhere to be seen? At the next game I will be asking fans these questions. I look forward to hearing the results.
For more information and tickets to see the Phantoms live go to http://www.phantomshockey.com

Cowboys future w/ Garrett

So at this point the Dallas Cowboys season is over and every game they have won since they went on a deplorable losing streak has damaged the changes of a better draft pick. That is all fine and dandy, the team has amazing talent, they just can't seem to get it together. What is the plan for next season and who will be coaching it?

Talks about possible new coaches have brought up names like Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher. Of course Jason Garrett has been fairly impressive as well since he has taken over the team. I would not be ready to give him the title yet, though. I feel he is still responsible for some of the previous errors the Cowboys were enduring this season. After all, how quickly we forget he was the offensive coordinater and he was making play calls. He seems to have the commorodity of the team at this point and time but I think he is to soft.

Bill Cowher I believe would be a perfect fit. He has a valuable reputation and I feel can give these "All Star" players a kick in the ass. I mean your not all that if you can't prove it on the field. I feel its exactly what these guys need to hear. I think the problem is though, Jerry Jones. He is WAY to involved with the affairs of the team and he also voices these opinions to the press, he's a plague and consistently spreading his disease from season to season. I know Bill Cowher wouldn't take his crap for two seconds. I guarentee you he would simple say, go up and sit your cozy box and let me handle the rest, that is what you pay me for! That is what NEEDS to happen. Jason Garrett wouldn't do that, and needless to say if he does get the coaching job that is probably one of the reasons why. It will be the same mistakes, the same issues, and the same kinda losing season unless something gives with Mr. Jones. He is our Yankee Georgie Boy times 100!!

If Jon Gruden is considered for the head coaching job, well if he gets the head coaching job, I will prolly have to renounce my loyalties to the Dallas Cowboys. Did anyone here (at any point in time really) his commentaries? Last night he friggin said that Brett Favre looked like he was "23 again." ARE YOU KIDDING ME? A player can botch up the play worse than Eli Manning's self-fumble and Gruden would still say what an awesome attempt it was at something great.....I can't stand it, its like he doesn't want to offend anyone. Where the frigg is that going to get you? No respect from a team that's for sure. No loyalties, no improvements, he will be walked all over.

An assertive head coach willing to take chances and get the respect out of the team through progressive action is what needs to happen. Jerry Jones needs to learn what his role is on the team and let the staff take care of the rest. It is one thing to want to show your support for your players but it quite another to be on the sidelines hooting and hollering at them OOO and then telling the press how bad they are, real nice.

working the sidelines

Due to the new found controversy started by Sal Alosi, the NYJ strength coach, it made me wonder how often preemptive sideline taunting is encouraged by players as well as the coaching staff. Sideline taunting techniques in football...wouldn't u think all teams do it? The Jets just got caught! How many times have the opposing players run out of bounds and been greeted not with a good run, or catch but insults and taunting! I also have heard in the past (particularly the playoff game between the Giants n the Packers) the Packers had heated benches while the Giants, miraculously weren't working....on purpose, well its up to u to decide.

update on Sal Alosi

Apparently he is now suspended indefinitely, it is said that he "instructed" players to make a wall around the sidelines before he purposely tripped the Miami player...ESPN conversations has more info posted and I will retrieve the link ASAP! Anyone think Rex Ryan had a hand in this??

No Favre

Well Favre ends his consecutive regular season starts at 297. At this point whoopdie-friggin-do! I feel at this point almost all of us, the dedicated football fans that we are, share a love-hate relatioship with Favre at this point in his career. Honestly it teeters more so on the "hate" side. Credit is due, he has been a master at breaking records and a master at the miraculous play. But he hasn't seen true greatness since he left the Packers. He has become quite the "Diva". It was no secret he and Childress didn't get along. I for one thought it be best that Jackson was given a shot to play before Childress was fired. I don't think he was an awful coach, well I mean he was definitely lacking in a lot of ways, BUT we are outsiders! What was really going on? Was it the rift between coach and QB that divided the team? Childress must have known his job was in jeopardy and I am sure that had a say in some of his decision making. ESPN had taken a poll a week or so ago debating whether the US preferred Favre to start or Jackson. Everyone voted Against Favre, now this was after he was knocked out of the Bills game OOOH and after Jackson threw 3 pics (in the same game as well). Are we all that sick and tired of Favre!? Seems like it! Jackson really isn't all that, and most likely not a the right candidate for the starting slot. I'm not discrediting the Bills, they have dragged many teams into OT, playing tough, just couldn't finish the job (that's what she said) but they managed to knock out Favre, and again had a handful of interceptions during the game! The Vikings finally resorted to the run game, they utilized AP to his fullest potential and who the frigg can stop him!? Sidney Rice is back in the line up and makes anyone look like a rock star! I've been saying this, if it wasn't for him Favre WOULD NOT have been back in the line up I swear he just lobbs the ball and Rice goes after it, any way shape or form. He did the same thing with Jackson, those friggin passes were awful, but Rice manages to make them look Again "miraculous" and of course Favre was getting most of the credit! Ok, see "hater" side coming out. I can't talk about the Vikings anymore, I'm getting ticked off. Ugh but did anyone see Favre's arm! It resembled the color of his jersey, gross!!!

Tashard Choice asking for an autograph

The Cowboys Eagles game was a great game Sunday night and a perfect display of how divisional rivals play against eachother. You never know who will win or how far either team will go to get the win. Unfortunately for my Cowboys, Vick couldn't be stopped, he was electric (as usual). He brings such fire to that Eagle offense and the team has found a true leader. Not only do fans recognize his capabilities (whether you like him or not) the man deserves all the credit in the world and has clearly worked hard to get where he is now. After the game, Tashard Choice handed Vick a white glove and a black marker for an autograph. A controversial move to most and I'm sure Cowboy fans have been offended. He tweeted "If its anybody that cares about winning and the d cowboys its me. I apologize to the people it was just an innocent jesture for my nephew." Be that as it may, was it necessary to do it right after the game so blatantly in front of the media? I mean everyone KNEW it would be blown out of proportion and upset the fans. Unfortunately for players an innocent gesture such as this, may be taken out of context and cause a riff amongst the team and with fans. I think he should have done this afterwards, when most of the media and fans had cleared out. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but to be so obvious about it? I just don't like it, left a sour taste in my mouth. The players claim they don't mind the decision that Choice made and neither does Jason Garrett. I understand the players have an ample amount of respect for one another and I'm sure there is a lot of admiration that goes along with that. I just think that the timing was a poor decision on Choice's part and quite disrespectful to the fan base in Dallas.

siena Vs ualbany

A great way to kick off college hoops in the cap city, the rivalry between UAlbany and Siena. My friends and I walked into the game greeted by disappointed fans LEAVING! They had warned us that the game was terrible! Now if the game was terrible, that would lead me to think 1 team was blowing out the other team already (it was only 5-7 minutes in). Upon arrival to our seats, UAlbany was ahead and the game was relatively close, so what was the problem? Well I held a 10 minute conversation n afterwards realized the score hadn't changed at ALL! The game was fairly fast-paced but lacked control by either team. They went up and down the court pretty much uncontested by defenders and could not make a shot! Whether it was an easy lay-up or a quick unguarded 3 point attempt, nothing would fall! And the rebounding!!! Well it was non-existent. Halftime score was 30/38 UAlbany. Better defense, slowing down the game, and making shots were necessary for the second half. The second half shifted momentum to Siena's favor in the last 8 minutes. The game that we were warned was awful in the beginning turned out to be a nail-biter in the end. It went into OT with the help of some free throws that finally dropped (ugh easy points that were missed all night) seriously UAlbany missed way too many of them, they would have been up at least 10 points if they hadn't. In the end Siena couldn't recover from their early mistakes, which continued to plague them throughout the rest of the game. They weren't sharp at all. They weren't playing harmoniously. They just recently lost to Fairfield as well. Ryan Rossiter must be rolling, he and Clarence Jackson looked like freshman! Well more so Rossiter. Anyways major improvements need to be made to the Siena team if they want to compete in the NCAA tournament next year. The final score in the Siena UAlbany game was 82-88.

Siena and UAlbany game time

Duke and Butler

Duke and Butler will rematch Dec 4th! These two teams met for the NCAA Basketball Championship last year, Duke the reigning champ! My vote goes for Duke! I'm just saying, plus Butler is lacking Gordon Hayward who in a desperate attempt to win the game last year, threw a perfectly squared 3 from half court and ALMOST made it in! After Duke has polished off some top contenders thus far this season, including Tom Izzo's Spartans, I have faith they will reign supreme in this game. It will definately be worth watching though!!! COLLEGE HOOPS ITS OFFICIAL GET SOME!!!!