Becoming a Duke fan

This may seem so trivial but I just thought I'd share a bit about myself. My father is certainly the culprit for my obsession with college hoops. I remember when I was young, he would fill out my sister's and my brackets for us year after year. At first we would pick teams out of a hat. When we got a little older he would call out the names of the teams and we would pick whichever team sounded "cool." The team that was always cool to me, was Duke. My father, grandfather, sister, and I had gone to a resturant for dinner. Now I was about 5 or 6 and a seafood fanatic. I believe I got sick on the seafood (or car sick I was 5 what do I know) so the car ride home was less than pleasant for my father due to the fact I got sick all over the place. So my father cleaned me up and tucked me in. When I was settled in her rubbed my tummy and asked "Deanna, hunny you ok?" My response, "Yea Dad, Duke won!" So needless to say that has stuck with me ever since. Cute story, thought I would share! :)

Rossiter breaks a school record but Siena still can't pull out the win against Loyola

Times Union Center- Albany, NY- Siena Saints battled against Loyola last night. The offenses for both teams were on point, however Siena could not figure out a good defensive strategy against Loyola. They began with a 2-3 zone switched to a 3-2 and finally went man to man all in the first half! Nothing seemed to be effective against Loyola's offense. By the end of the half Siena should have had a 3 point lead on Loyola, however bad ball handling by Clarence Jackson created an easy turnover and score and a halftime score 40-39 Loyola lead. For Siena, Rahkeem Brookins lead with 11 points. This game in particular was important for Ryan Rossiter, he was on the way to break the all time rebound record at Siena college, currently held by Lee Matthews. On a side note, the refs certainly seemed to be favoring sides. Loyola had to many players on the court and 3 were in pin stripes. It reminded me of the Steelers/Seahawks Super Bowl a few years back. Anyways, some great clean blocks were made on behalf of Siena and were called as fouls frequently throughout the night. Early in the second half Ryan Rossiter broke the Siena rebound record and received a standing ovation. Shortly after Siena set up a perfect shot for Rossiter, tossing the ball around like a hot potato and Rossiter went for the dunk...he missed that dunk, I felt so bad quite frankly! Cheering one second and astounded the next minute. That basically describes the theme for Siena fans the entire game. All and all Rossiter dominated the second half, but it can't always be a one man show. Nobody stepped up to help him out on offense or defense. Loyola caught up to Siena's 8 point lead with 7 minutes left and didn't look back. It went back and forth throughout the final minutes but Siena turned the ball over more times than I could keep track of in the last 5 minutes. Loyola won 76-69. Rossiter ended the game with 23 points and 20 rebounds!

albany legends theme song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZqVRNi7-9s

Sinister (featuring Deanna Ferris) "I Am A Legend"
www.youtube.com

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.