Opening day in Sweetish Style..

The Blues got the season started off with Jay Mac's 1st goal of the season. Instead of waiting 22 games, he got the monkey off his back in the 1st. The game then shifted to the Deadwings, as they scored 3 unanswered goals. Then it was the Blues turn to score 3 unanswered goals. The game winner went to Paul Kariya, as he dished it to TJ Oshie, then Osh gave it back to PK as they went in on a 2-0 break, PK beat Os(notso)good on the blocker side again for his 2nd goal of the game..

Good 1st game back for PK as he only played 11 games last year. He was averaging over a pt/game. And it looks like he'll continue that pace.

Jay McClemment is the Leading scorer in the NHL! Who'd a thunk? Not me.. But then again it's early..

Chris Mason, looked steady, and definitely pulled off some huge saves for the win. Ty Conklin will get his piece of his old team today.

Brian Engblom loves TJ Oshie. (He's the Versus TV network in studio analyst. Last night he called out that Osh must be doing something right, since the 2nd year youngster is put out 1st on a 5 on 3 against the most deadly power play in the League last year.... Engblom goes on to talk about how great of an all-around player Osh is, and how Murray must have lots of confidence in the youngster.

Let's plan for a "SWEEDISH SWEEP"

I couldn't but help to laugh when I saw this pic up on http://www.stltoday.com/ the fans on the right, and the Blues on the left, as they're both on their way to eat lunch together.. As you can see someone probably woke Jax up from a nap.

Dirt Track wear updated

Edited again 9-8-09 Some drivers better look out, cause someone is getting together a ride for 2010...

2009 Racing Season about to Start..

Let's start it off with a big shoutout to our 2008 Champions.. They earned it..

Onto some predictions of sorts..

Streets: Last year rookie Lance Schill won 5 heat races, and swept 1 night.. He's moved up to the Midwest Modified ranks now. Shockingly, Joe "Spiderman" Potter won 2 heats last year, but just couldn't catch a break on bringing his car to Rydell GM Auto Center Victory Lane. The Champ brought home 4 Heat wins, and doubling that number of Feature Wins. Geringer took home 6 Heat wins, and 2 features.

photo credit http://www.joepottermotorsports.com/

This class is always uber-competitive, but I'm going to go with Spiderman to dust off the cob webs (no pun intended) and get back to the checkered flooring.


MWM's: The biggest class at River Cities saw 53 different drivers race at the famed 3/8 mile bullring. And a bullring it became. 19 different drivers won heat races, but one youngster stood the tallest winning 8 Heat races, 5 Features, and 4 sweeps yielding Dustin Strand his 3rd Points title at what he calls his home track. (Also quick shoutout to his Crew Chief Josh, it's a tough job)

(Nice trophy)Photo credit http://www.strandracing.com and www.ornesscreations.com

Strand's biggest competition throughout the season at more then one track was that of "Iron" Ryan Schroeder who took 2nd not only in points at RCS but in Devils Lake Speedway as well to Mr Strand. Schroeder won 2 Heats and 2 Features last year having his Career Best year, I do believe he's bought a new chassis mount, and looking to improve on last years performance.

Strand's teammate Flyin Bryan LePier won 4 Heat Races, and 1 Feature last year, but was a threat on any given night.photo credit http://www.bryanlepierracing.com/

Also Todd Johnson got back in the saddle of a modified and wheeled himself to 3 Heat wins, and a Feature win. Another shocker to last year was Bryan Dyrdahl winning 4 Heat races, but unable to get to the checkers 1st in the Features, but having won numerous features in 2007 I look for him to rebound in 2009. 2007 Rookie of the Year Patrik Sobolik made it through the Sophomore "slump" (is what they say) but 2008 was a great year for the 2nd year driver winning 4 Heat races and finishing 4th in Points. He's going to be due for a Feature win this year. Lastly, the Rookie of the Year for 2008 was Zach Naastad of Hatton, ND. Winning a Heat race in his 1st year against stiff competition helped boost his confidence, and having a teammate with over 100+ Feature to ask questions helped vault him to 7th in points and earned him Rookie of the Year honors..

photo credit www.strandracing.com

Moving onto some predictions for the http://www.hawkshobbyheaven.com/index.phpWissota Midwest Modifieds (I have no clue who or what the sponsor is all about but happy it's their :))

I see that Dustin Strand sold his 2007 mount that won him over 66 races in 2 years leaving him with his 2009 mount: I see he's added some wheels, and maybe might Flinstone it around the track... But then I see that Ben Adams from is going to help him with a powerplant again this year. And since the last time he debuted a new car in 2007 he went on to win over 50% of the races he entered.. Can he repeat that performance 2 years later?? Since he hot lapped last weekend in MN I say he's ready to defend his title for the 4th year. But look for above mentioned drivers plus a few street stock drivers that have upgraded to one of them Millenium Nightmare Chassis'. In Lance Schill, Adam Thompson, and a mystery guest...

photo credit www.strandracing.com The above picture is of Lance Schill's new Millenium Nightmare Chassis, powered by Millar Engines. I think he's a strong pick to win the Rookie of the Year honors, and also maybe a Feature win or 2?

Onto the NLRA Late Models:A fond farewell to the 2008 NLRA Points Champ Mr. Multi Time Champ Mike Balcaen. With over 16 different drivers winning Heat Races. Joey Pederson won 4 Heat Races and 3 Features earning him the 2008 Points title. BUT there is a driver who WON more races then Mr Pederson... Brad Seng topped ALL drivers with 5 Heat Races and 4 Feature Wins... I don't have all the stats, but I'm assuming Brad Seng missed a night or two... Also 2008 saw the comeback of Tom T1 Corcoran who went on to win 4 Heat races and a feature on his way to a 3rd place finish in points, but was even more impressive on the NLRA tour. Maybe the excitement of winning brought the young T1 back to his racing roots, and might entice him to travel more and entertain even more crowds. (I hear his car is pretty sharp this year) Troy Schill was able to take his #11 back to Victory Lane twice last year, and also picked up a Heat win on his way to taking 5th in points at RCS and 6th on the NLRA tour. Lastly, Steve Anderson, Doyle Erikson, and Ryan Corbett picked up Feature wins last year at the Action Track.

My prediction:I think Brad Seng had a great campaign last year, and Friday night will be the 1st of many Feature wins. As for rookies?? I have no idea who's moved up to late models this year?? Any help?

Onto the Dobmeier show:If Mark is too busy bonding someone and misses the feature (it could happen), but considering only 2 other drivers won Features at River Cities, I can pretty much get away with saying that.. The shocking stat though in my mind is that Dobby won 7 heat races, 9 features, but only swept 5 times. That means that 2 times he won a Heat race, and failed to win the feature!? A rare occurence, but hats off to Jason Linnell (1 feature win) and Bob Martin (3 Feature Wins) But the even bigger shocker is that Wade Nygaard won the points w/out winning a Feature.. (Granted all my stats I'm getting are updated as of 8/29/08) but still...

My Predictions:Dobby led heat wins with 7, but Scotty McDonald and Nygaard were in 2nd with 4 Heat wins.. I'd like to see McDonald get back to the winner's circle, but with Dobmeier already having raced this year, Nygaard, Kennedy's and Grosz having raced as well, it'd be a stiff task.. So I'll take Lou Kennedy just to be different

Oshie Celebrity Golf Tournament is coming fast..

Don't forget to check out this event held in Grand Forks, ND. It's always a great time, and helps out a great cause..

Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament July 29-30, 2009 Grand Forks, ND


On Wednesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 30th, 2009, the 3rd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament will be held.

The event will feature a "Celebrity Shoot-Out" on the afternoon of July 29th, where Business leaders and fans can play amongst the Celebrities. Later that night, "A Meet The Celebrities" autograph session will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Rydell GM Auto Center Cadillac Showroom in Grand Forks, ND.

The 3rd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, July 30th, at the magnificent links-style King's Walk Golf Course. This Arnold Palmer designed golf course is one of the best courses in North Dakota.

There will be only ONE flight of 36 teams in the tournament. They anticipate a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start for the golf scramble. Due to the very high demand for teams, they will fill the 36 slots on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have any questions regarding this event please contact:

Timothy Oshie at (360) 722-1784 or (701) 757-1080 or simply e-mail to oshiesports@gmail.com.

How the West was Won:

Well since I've been sucking as of late on posting, you can scroll down 2 or 3 posts, and see what I predicted with 10 games left in the season or just click here.

I'm actually pretty happy with myself, because my NCAA Hockey Tourney prediction was really really brutal!! To be able and bounce back with these predictions is gratifying, as I only watched a handful of NCAA hockey games this year, and probably watched over 200 NHL games this year.. It's been a great year for me..

Here's what I predicted for the Blues with 10 games left: (if red= wrong, blue means true!)
vs Los Angeles: 2 points (Osh's hit on the Capt. towards the end of the game was great)
vs. Vancouver: 2 point (Osh's goal against Roberto is getting voted as goal of year on nhl.com)
vs. CBJ: 2 points (Did you see that hit on Nash? Ohh my)
AT CBJ: Win (I predicted Loss, and Nash also predicted he'd lay out Osh from last nights excursion, turns out we were both wrong, as the Blues beat the Jackets, and Osh laid Nash out again)
AT Chicago: 0 point(I'm not happy to predict losses but no way do the Blues go 5-0-1 against their heated rival this year, the Hawks needed the win so they could help destroy Anaheim, and Nashville and help the Blues, see it all happens for a reason!)
AT Detroit: 1 points (I didn't think Backes would score 5 goals in a game, we all know it's 5 not 4.)
AT Dallas: 2 points (Really, the Blues dominated, and should've had 2 points, but lost in OT, Modano's still got talent left in the tank.) (I've give myself half a point)
AT Phoenix: 2 points (Blues put an exclamation point on that win)
April 10 vs. Columbus: 2 points
April 12 AT Colorado: 2 points

So far, I've got 5.5 out of 8 right, and I'm thinking I might go 7.5 for 10... Not bad.. The best part about it though is that I predicted the standings to be this:
1. San Jose
2. Detroit
3. Calgary
4. Chicago
5. Vancouver
6. Columbus
7. Edmonton
8. St Louis
(I'm off on Edmonton, as Anaheim's in their spot but still 9 out 10 not bad...)

With the current standings looking like this:

I'd really like to see Columbus lose to the Blues, and Wild. While the Blues beat Colorado, leaving the Jackets and Blues tied at 92 points! Then if Anaheim wins out too, it's a 3 way tie, boosting the Blues since they've got the best head to head record against the 3, boosts the BLUES INTO 6th place!!!!!

Who would've thought that the team who before the season when they had all their players healthy were picked to FINISH LAST IN THE CONFERENCE, and 30th in the LEAGUE by the "experts". For them then to lose their #1 and #2 defensemen for the year, then they lose their #1, #2, and #3 forwards for over 30 games.. It's a testament to the coaching staff, and the whole team. I do believe the Blues (or as I like to call them the Red Cross) have the 2nd most man games lost to injury in the entire league.

The Blues are in control of their destiny to make the playoffs, and if they do, it's mission accomplished 1 year ahead of schedule.. I hate to even think about what this team's going to be like next year, and in 3 years. As every reporter or person who has watched this Blues team will tell you the Blues are being led by 22 year old Oshie (rookie), 25 year old Backes (3rd year), 20 year old Perron(2nd year), 20 yr old Berglund (rookie), but also they've had some great goaltending coming for Chris Mason.

I guess I'd like to see the Blues square off in the playoffs against either San Jose, or Calgary in the 1st round. Both teams they match up well against.

Therefore, sorry Nashville, and Minny, those teams miss the playoffs this year..

That's all for now I need to get back to work..

Sorry Readers....

It's been 13 days since my last post, and I've been VERY VERY busy with the Blues, Life, Ex girlfriends and her family, watching the best 16 year old hockey players in the country play in the National Tier 1 and 2 Tourney, work, even more work, trying to get my taxes prepared, oh and attempting to watch some sort of college basketball.. (After all the Women's Final Four was in my city, I couldn't help frolic around a little??)

So I'll try to break down as much of the last two weeks as possible, starting with my next post about the Blues, and the NHL's most exciting race of all....


THE RACE TO THE PLAYOFFS!!

The Big bad Flood.... Redux

As many of you know, I was born bred Grand Forks... North Dakota style.

Since I live in the Lou, many whom know me around these parts keep asking how's my hometown doing? How's my mother, father, and family doin? To most of their questions I can only say, "Well they say they're doing ok, and that they're going to trust the National Weather Service, whom couldn't tell you the right thing if it hit them in the face.. Much less predict when a god damn river that flows north will crest! But, I guess I'll regress and have to take their word for it, and say they're doing fine.."
So finally I decided you know what I'll just go ahead and tap into that flood cam that they put up on the Grand Forks Herald web site... Just to put me at ease.. Afterall my dad's house is literally a drunk stumble into that damn flood wall..(It hurts, trust me, you don't want to try and bounce off it)

So yesterday I peaked in, and now today, I'm firewalled since I'm at work... So I decided to google up some pictures, and wouldn't you know it, I cyber stalked some rando's pictures of the events right now... Oh and did you know President Barak Obama declared North Dakota a State of Federal Disaster, or something like that?? I think what he was trying to say was that he wishes the UND Hockey team makes it to the D.C., and then to the White House, as he had a lot of fun in the Alerus last year.. Without further ado, since you probably don't want to hear any sappy story, about what my friends and I went through in 1997.. Let's all stay positive, I mean afterall the Blues are on a winning streak, my NCAA BBall bracket isn't all but a bust quite yet (it will once UNC decides to lose), and I'm sure if you didn't already know Obama doesn't think the fighting sioux nickname is hostile or abusive..

This picture below was taken on March 25, 2009:Onto Sand Bag Central shall we:
This brings me back to when I was 13, at Sand Bag Central, unfortunately and shockingly this picture was taken around 4am on March 26th, 2009.. Wowza
That's some good team work there.Here is a picture of Minnesota Welcoming their visitors with a HUGE WALL! lol, it always cracks me up:By the time this blog went to press, this was the latest picture, and YES the Sorlie Bridge pictured above is UNDER WATER...
Here's the link to the guy's flickr site. From what I can deduce, he's a college student at UND, and a bartender, that is a foreigner maybe? Who fly's a lot, prolly a prophead.. Anyway 4am sandbagging is pretty impressive.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrottler/3387292054/


GOOD LUCK GRAND FORKS, I WISH ALL NORTH DAKOTANS WELL.

March Madness..... Baby Bragadocious!! Baby!!

Basketball Thoughts:
I entered into a pool of about 25, whom are probably the most knowledgeable college bball fans I know, and still as of the other day I was in 3rd place.. Having never watched a single game this year, I probably can only name 3 players in college right now, err check that, probably could name four.. Every year I just google NCAA Bracket Stats, and break it down by the numbers. But 1st is always first go with the gut feeling. Like I had the KU would demolish NDSU.. Then I figured we owe my bro for his services in the War in Iraq. So I picked the cliche' team of UNC, winning it all, and Tyler Hansboruough (I know 4 players, but I didn't say I knew how to spell their names) would raise the cup, errrr I mean cut the "net" (I think that's what they do when they win a title..)

Needless to say, Psycho T, and his weirdness, will climb on the ladder??(That's even more weird when they do that, and the crowd is on the bball floor, and here is this ladder all these people are climbing up and down to "cut the net") Needless to say, it's why I don't watch it all..

Back on topic, I broke my bracket up 1st by going by my gut, then I went with some statistical things that always happen, like the 5v12 "upsets", that happen a lot.. Then some other stuff, mix it all up, and you got yourself a bracket that could SUCK, like my brothers ha ha ha, or ROCK, like mine.. Happy Trails (ps Shame on my bromo for not even picking his KU to repeat! You fair weather fan!! Rock Chalk biyatch)

NHL MARCH MADNESS:
So the Western Conference is the tightest it's ever been, well tighter then anyone can remember.. I'm talking so tight, it's borderline teenager barely legal amateur porn tight.. (Ya you know what I'm talking about you sick pervert!)

Here are the standings with 10 games to go:
6 COLUMBUS 72 Games/ 38-28-6/ 82 points
7 EDMONTON 72 Games/ 35-28-9/ 79 points
8 NASHVILLE 72 Games/ 35-30-7/ 77 points

9 ANAHEIM 72 Games/ 35-31-6/ 76 points
10 MINNESOTA 72 Games/ 34-30-8/ 76 points
11 ST LOUIS 72 Games/ 33-30-9/ 75 points
12 DALLAS 72 Games/ 33-31-8/ 74 points

The Blues have no games remaining against the four competitors now immediately ahead of them in the standings (Edmonton, Nashville, Anaheim and Minnesota). When you look at the remaining schedules for the Western Conference teams fighting for playoff spots, it seems like the Blues have a chance at dragging Columbus back to the pack, since Columbus has 3 games remaining with the Blues (2 of them in St. Louis).

The TARGET according to previous years means you need to get to 90 points to make the playoffs. Assuming the Blues pick up those 15 points, let’s forecast where they’ll come from:
Tonight vs. Los Angeles: 2 points
Thursday vs. Vancouver: 2 point
Saturday vs. Columbus: 2 points
Sunday AT Columbus: 0 point
April 1 AT Chicago: 0 point
April 2 AT Detroit: 1 points
April 4 AT Dallas: 2 points
April 7 AT Phoenix: 2 points
April 10 vs. Columbus: 2 points
April 12 AT Colorado: 2 points

There is my prediction of their 90 points a TALL TALL Task..

Edmonton has two games against Anaheim, two against Calgary to close out the season, plus one game each against Detroit, Minnesota, Phoenix, the Kings, Vancouver and San Jose. Only 3 of the Oilers last 10 games are on the road (Phoenix, Anaheim & Calgary). My prediction they stay in the playoffs.

Dallas has 2 games against the Kings, and one each against Florida, Vancouver, Phoenix, Calgary, St. Louis, Minnesota, Anaheim, and Colorado. They'll stay out of contention.

Nashville plays two each against Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus, with single games against Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Minnesota. This team loses to Detroit, Chicago, San Jose, and Columbus. Wayyy too tough of a task for them to stay in contention..

Anaheim has 2 each against San Jose, Edmonton and Colorado, and one each against Nashville (R), Vancouver, Dallas and Phoenix (R). Losing to San Jose, Edmonton, and hopefully Vancouver. Meaning their win against Nashville, Dallas, Phoenix, and Colorado puts them short.

Minnesota has 2 games against the Flames, with single road games versus Rangers, Islanders, Oliers, Red Wings and Columbus, with single home games against Dallas, Nashville and Vancouver. The Wild just lost their leading scorer, and even if the "weak one" Mary Anne Gaborik comes back, this team won't make the playoffs. Causing some heads to hopefully roll for all my friends up in the North Country..

So the Western how I'd like to see it play out:
1. San Jose
2. Detroit
3. Calgary
4. Chicago
5. Vancouver
6. Columbus
7. Edmonton
8. St Louis

With a game 7 in 1st round b/w San Jose and St Louis..

Happy Week everyone..

An email I get...

Nice article on ESPN online!!!! Be sure to read that last line, in bold and green.


http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3992254&sportCat=ncb

**click on the Midwest tab**, but here’s the article:


North Dakota State (14)

Best Case: After hordes (well, some) Bison fans pour across the Red River and descend upon Minneapolis for a semi-home game, they're treated to an epic upset of Kansas on a 25-foot 3-pointer by Ben Woodside. Gov. John Hoeven hails this as the greatest sporting moment in state history, non-ice hockey division. With a 1-0 all-time NCAA tournament record, team doesn't even bother with second-round game against West Virginia. Goes shopping at Mall of America instead.

Worst Case: Kansas shows the Bison exactly how vast the difference is between the Big 12 and the Summit, rolling to a 20-4 lead. NDSU squad that went 0-3 against teams in the field of 65 turns the ball over repeatedly, gets in foul trouble, cannot get open looks for Woodside and loses by 30. Meanwhile, North Dakota goes on a run to win national hockey championship.

Let's rid the Bison, in a way my ancestors did....

Let me 1st say, Welcome to March Madness!!!! BABY!!!!!!! (Enter Hooter's tv commercial featuring Dicky boy Vitale and his "new" friends at every one's favorite Restaurant)

I've heard a lot of debates going on the radio the past few weeks, about the "mid-major" teams not getting their fair shake to get into the Men's NCAA Basketball tourney..

I say who gives a sh-t. I mean really if you're one of those teams battling for that 65th spot, do you really think you're worthy of even making it? Much less make a run??

I mean go join a crappy conference like NDSU did, and win that tourney to get an auto-bid...


Ahhh, moving to my next point.. NCAA is awesome about getting crappy teams in over good teams due to their auto-bid selection.. I don't care if you're talking Hockey, or Basketball. Crappy Conferences produce Champions who automatically get in to the tourney, but in a way it all evens out, I mean the top teams need to get their practices in on someone..

But on occasion you just might witness an upset, a la #1 Minnesota vs #16 Holy Cross upset or what I call the Miracle at the Ralph in 2007. Let's hope something of that nature happens again in either the Basketball or Hockey Tourney..

I've also heard on the radio shows these media guys crying about how they only fill out 1 bracket for each sport, and that's it. Meanwhile other people who aren't the "experts" fill out numerous brackets, and then one of their 100 different brackets is almost perfect and then they brag about it..

I laughed at this because I thought it was funny they would bring something like this up on air, but since they did I laughed even more, because you know every year they probably get like a bazillion emails from guys who made more then one bracket and are rubbing it in at how great they are!

Last year, I participated in the Slice's NCAA basketball bracket challenge. The brackets were hosted on CBS, and I thought it was very entertaining to watch me climb the charts with my bracket.. The only thing I was looking to do was hold my own, and beat my bro's, at a sport I can't play, and barely watch.

Leading to my next point...

The only NCAA Basketball game I'll watch from start to finish will be.....

NDSU vs Kansas

Why: BECAUSE NDSU needs to get CRUSHED!

Why the hatred: I'm actually more pissed that these no talent ass clown reporters in Fargo, ND are trying to say that this teams entrance into the NCAA tourney is one of, if not the GREATEST sports story to come out of North Dakota!

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHA

Wow!! I'm not going to get into this debate, but let me just say a few things:

When you ask people about North Dakota Sports, they'll probably mention our Hockey Palace, or maybe our Numerous amounts of National Championships in Hockey, maybe even Phil Jackson..

What they won't say is:
"OH YA, they were the state that had that NDSU Bison team that played in the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament in 2009"


"but then got crushed by the defending Champ Jayhawks! By a score of 150-10 making them the biggest losers to ever play in the NCAA tournament!"

Well maybe they might say that..

80 degrees and I tell that ditch please..

So this morning I woke up and realized it's going to be a heck of a great day! Don't you just love waking up, and hearing the birds chirping almost like they are sitting in your window sill? (I have birds that have made a nest above my window at my apartment, which just so happens to be 3 stories up, so its next to impossible to get them to leave, quite annoying they can be)

Anyways, moving on I woke up this morning, and heard yesterday that today was going to be in the 70's with a tad bit of wind. So I googled the closest golf course and driving range. ZING! I'm hitting driving range balls at around 9am.. I found a brand new range facility that's about a mile from my apartment...(last summer I was traveling pretty far to a crappy facility to get some practice in..) So I get to this nice place and they're rocking laser guided distances. So you can track which pin is what yardage, and which ditch(sand less bunker) was at what yardage.. It was actually pretty cool. I've played golf for numerous years, and never once have I been to such a tech'd out driving range.. Even the ball dispenser was technologied up... You have to go inside the pro shop, and pay for whatever amount you want, then you go out to the machine type in the code, and the balls go into your bucket that's hanging on a hook.. It was pretty cool. I also wanted to know what this little clubhouse was all about that was perched about 100 yards in the air on the other side of the fencing?? The owner said he pays kids to sit up there and lookout for other kids that try to hit balls over the fence, and into traffic or the nearby ditch.. I laughed, and told him numerous stories of my rangering days at Ray Richards.. I think I'm a fortunate kid who was able to grow up playing golf at one course looking up to all the college athletes that worked their as a "Ranger". (aka A person who slept in a golf cart most days on the golf course nestled behind some trees nursing a hangover that they got at some huge house party on campus the night before..)

I only know of 1 guy who actually was fired from Ray Richards in all of my years of being there everyday from ages 8-14... That man was Chad B. (to disclose his identity) I don't remember his story but all I remember were the days he'd ask me to drive him out to the trees behind #2's tee so he could sleep, while I was able to go and look for golf balls along the trees.. Needless to say he would show up late a lot, and one day or two he missed his whole shift, and then good 'ol Nancy had to give him the axe.

Through the numerous years of growing up there eating Subway daily (it used to be the clubhouse's only food next to the pro shops delicious Pugsley's sandwich's) we became basically free workers for the staff doing almost anything for something free like soda, range balls, golf, old rental clubs, or free clubs out of the "$3,$5,$10" bins that were actually lost clubs that have been lost for more then a few weeks so in turn they sell them!! (What a great racket that's got to be)

Moving on, I remember the numerous amounts of putting tournaments with all of us kids gambling, and then the winner would take on the ranger on duty at the time, and the stakes could be very high, for an example: If the kid lost, he had to pick the driving range fence alongside #1, BUT if the kid won he could be entitled to a bucket of range balls, or free use of the chipping range ball pickers, or maybe a golf club from the aforementioned bins? One never knew what was on the line.. But every put was a PRESSURE COOKER..

Ahhhhh yessss, this morning up until about noon I sat on the driving range stroking balls out into the range remembering many things in the past like the great child rivalries we had to the stupid things we did as kids at the course (hitting balls at rail cars, to dumping rocks into the stream) every memory in the past, but smiling all day today I couldn't help but think about the past and the future.

TONIGHT's Sports Docket:
Sioux vs Badgers:
My friends piled into a bus this morning at 6am to make the trek east to the Cheesehead state. Visiting the Kohl center is a must on anyone's list. Tonight's game will have more people in the stands watching then the Blues game in Tampa Bay, not because it's the Blues fault see below..
The Sioux will win at least one game this weekend to win the Cup, whether they do it today or tomorrow doesn't bother me..

Blues vs Lightning:
The Blues have sold out 22 times at 19,806 people in the Scottrade, BUT because it's Hockey in Florida tonight's attendance might be 12,000!! LOL, look at what's in Florida right now, the MLB, radio shows in Orlando, and all that stuff, way too many distractions.. Only the die-hard Lightning fans are going to be in attendance to watch the surging Blues take on the bottom dwellar Lightning.. My thoughts are the Blues handily beat the bolts, and hopefully solidify there run towards making the playoffs.. Only 2 points out with a win tonight!

Trade Deadline... Blues Style

I'm so sick of the rumors about Chris Pronger, all year I hear this blow-hard "Blues" fans yell and scream at "ka-choke" and "Boo-er" (Keith Tkachuck and Eric Brewer).. It's been very disturbing to say the least..

A little background Eric Brewer and Jeff Woywitka plus a draft pick were acquired by the Blues and sent Chris Pronger away. And some still have a bad taste in their mouth's about it.. I wasn't here when it went down, but at the time the Blues weren't playoff contenders, and were wanting to lower their salary cap, so they sent their highest paid player away. (Makes sense to me)

Now the Blues have a stock pile of young talent available in return as I think they may become buyers before the deadline. The Blues need help on defense especially in the scoring column. (With Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer out their #1, and #3 defenseman respectively out for the year, but have contracts on the books for next year.)

Enter Anaheim because the Ducks appear to have a choice between trading Pronger or trading Scott Niedermayer. Anaheim has tons of questions as to what their team will look like next season because they have a flood of players are free agency bound.

I think the Blues are looking to add an impact player, whether it's a defenseman or a forward. They also are looking for a No. 2 or, more likely, a No. 1A goaltender. Manny Legace will get claimed off re-entry waivers by Ottawa or another team, so the Blues know they either have Holt, Bishop, or make a splash and pluck someone like Craig Anderson of the Florida Panthers? Maybe Curtis Sanford, who's in the Canucks' minor-league system, would be a good fit in a Blues sweater once again. (But again I'm opposed to dealing off players, and then keep bringing them back, if they were great for the team they wouldn't of been dealt..right?..)

If Ducks GM Bob Murray has an eye on the future, he could swap Pronger, an aging veteran with a high salary, for a similar defenseman with a lower salary. Word from Anaheim says Niedermayer likely will stick around, so Pronger is the odd man out. The first trade chip St. Louis could use to get Pronger is Alex Pietrangelo, the No. 4 overall pick last June. It would seem outrageous for the Blues to move Pietrangelo, who is expected to be a first-pair defenseman when he's ready for full-time NHL duties. But with the Blues needing to make the playoffs, and with other defense prospects believed to be closer to NHL duty.

They also could move David Perron, since the Coaches seem to keep him in the dog house almost like a colt they are trying to break. (For you fellow Equine enthusiasts out there.) Perron looks good at times but takes undisciplined penalties at others. Perron is totally out of place as a fourth-line player. He is best when playing with the Blues' top two young forwards Berglund and T.J. Oshie. That line made major contributions in Thursday's game, scoring on consecutive shifts and nearly scoring on their next shift. And on Saturday, Perron scored a great goal to help beat the Coyotes.

The Blues appear to believe collegian Aaron Palushaj rivals Perron, and Palushaj could jump from college hockey at Michigan to St. Louis. He's the Blues' best college forward prospect. They also have Brett Sonne of WHL Calgary, who had 41 goals and 43 assists in 52 games and is capable of replacing Perron's scoring. As for young defensemen, there's Ian Cole at Notre Dame, Cade Fairchild at Minnesota, Jonas Junland at AHL Peoria and Russian prospect Nikita Nikitin, who turns 23 this summer and is ready to make the NHL jump.

Also, Roman Polak is a lock to stay on the roster. Don't forget, the Blues also have Erik Johnson, who is making excellent progress from knee surgery. Pronger has a season left on his contract. Brewer will be back next season with time left on his contract. There's your top two. Johnson and Barret Jackman would be the No. 2 pair. So as good as Pietrangelo figures to be, he could be in play for Pronger.

Or could he be in play for, say, the Montreal Canadiens? The Blues could use a scoring left winger and might pitch a deal for Christopher Higgins, whom the Canadiens are shopping. We see Perron as the more logical fit.

The only way Walt (Tkachuck) leaves St Louis, is if some team goes Vito Corleone style on JD "an offer you can't refuse" which could be the Canadiens. It also could be the Pittsburgh Penguins. Here's a sure sign of interest by the Penguins: They've had a scout at seven of the Blues' past eight home games.

My Analysis:
I like the idea of adding a scoring Defenseman, but not Chris Pronger, I'm think Jay Bo. Also I don't think Higgins is a good fit for St Louis. Walt stays here, or IF the Bruins come calling I say he goes back to his collegiate turf. A goalie to help Mason would be great, how about Clemenson who just got sent down now that the big bad Marty is healthy in Jersey?

Whatever the moves, the Blues are a team on the rise. (Have you checked their stats since January?) They might not make deals at the deadline, but as desperate as they are to make the playoffs, I can see at least one big trade by them happening before Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET.

McDonald's where art thou...

McDonald's what are you doing with yourself!? Are you trying to lose my future business?!?!?

1st off, I love McD's, but only once a week at most.. If more then that, it starts to get to me..

On Saturday I found it was one of my coworkers bday on sunday, so we all planned to pitch in, and buy him a cake and a gift... So this morning I roll in with all the goods, and as I'm going around to everyone to have them sign it, I go to our intern in the service department, and he asks when is Pete's bday? I say oh, it was yesterday, but were having cake, and we got him a name plate for his desk. He then says, sweet! His Bday is on the same day as me!

I replied, "oh really? Are you serious??" He goes on to say ya, and then walks away after scribbling on the card.. Just pissed.. (The kids 20, and spent it alone, I mean what am I going to do about it now?)

So moving on, I feel bad later on, as I bought candles, a cake, a card, and a gift for one person, and not the intern in back..

It hits me! I'LL BUY THE YOUNG LAD A MCD's BDAY CAKE!!
How great is McD's Chocolate Bday cake?!?!? It's to die for! I tell you what, I bought a marble shitty neutral bday cake for all of us today, and paid $20! It sucked, compared to what the sugary sweetness of McDonald's Bday cake... Mmmmm Mmmmm

Every little bite brings me back to the old days of the jungle gyms, and the ball pits that we used to hide in, so our parents couldn't see us, because we didn't want to leave!!

So about 20 minutes ago, I decide I better call the local McD's to make sure they can have one ready for me for tomorrow.. (2 Bday cakes in 1 day is a bit much.. 2 Bday cakes in 2 days on the other hand is just right)

In my dismay, this tween-ager tells me uhhhhhh, we don't have the Birthday cakes anymore.... and our store in Red Bud, and Columbia won't either because were owned by the same peeeeople...

I reply back to this kid who probably makes $5.15/hr ... "Are you kidding me?? What don't you have birthday parties anymore?? Is this the same McDonald's that was geared toward kids, and fun while eating??"

He replies back, "uhhh I don't know let meeee ask myyyy manager.."

I then say, "Dude, forget about it, McDonald's has gone corporate, hell they're going after all these yuppies who'd rather drink some mocha choca coffee all damn day then eat.."

He then says in his best stoner version, "Dude!! Riiiighhhtt on mannn, you'rrrree awesommme."

I then say, "No man you're awesome."

The last thing I heard before I hung up was, "ha haa Rigghhhht onnnn man.." CLICK

After hanging up with the tweedager, I decide to go to McD's locator, and call all the McD's on my route to work tomorrow.. In all I pass a total of 5, I repeat 5 McDonald's... How many McD's?.. 5, yep not a single one carries the ever so delicious chocolate bday cake..


Ronald McDonald is rolling over in his grave right now.. How am I suppose to show my kids what life was like when I was a kid, if they don't have a McD's bday cake!!!!???!?!?!?!!?!??!?!!?!?

What a terrible start to my month, knowing that when my bday comes along, there will be no way of having a little slice of Chocolate McD's heaven...

Saturday morning thoughts...

It's the last day of the month, and for me work's been crazy great! Also it seems my good fortunes have also come with others great fortunes as well.

My big bro's new career has taken him to some pretty great places around the country. Thus, congrats to my brother, who was able to make it the "Big Apple" before any of my family.. While there he was able to take in numerous sights that one can only dream of.. Madison Square Garden, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Memorial Walls, hell the whole god damn area is a sight in itself! (All I have here is an Arch, two big rivers, and a botanical garden.)

Moving on, while talking to him last night since he was again sitting in an airport being the traveling business man he is, he asked me about the Match Play Event going on.. I gave him the run down on the matches, and also peppered him with hope and confidence that there was no one left to be able to topple his boy Justin Leonard.. In lieu of this I aslo stumbled upon telling him my thoughts on ol McIlroy err young young McIlroy.. The kids still a teenager, and his name is Rory McIlroy, not to be confused with Roy McIlroy who stole the hearts of many on that glorious 18th hole at the US Open..

I mean this is what the PGA needs when Tiger Woods doesn't make the cut.. (Which never happens, but when it does you'll find more people watching the NBA, then you will a golf event without Tiger. Ya, that's how bad it gets)

But just think what if this young McIlroy shows up to a tourney embracing a Tin Cup shirt, think of the ratings! Think of the hype! I bet my mom might even set her DVR on it, just so she can maybe catch a glimpse of Rory's own version of Rene Russo, urging Rory to "GO FOR IT" while laughing, "let the big dog eat!"

McIlroy, and his lady friend can have great talks, and maybe do some swinging lessons and what not, maybe even invest in a driving range... I don't know but you get the idea..

Good for the Government to crack down on them Bankers, I mean first they go to the gov't begging and pleading to them that they need some money to bailout their companies or else all of us American's will lose all of our money?? (In theory that's what they were projecting, afterall don't you remember the WildCat Banking back in the 1800's? Thanks Danny Owens for your crazy Econ classes at UND) Could you imagine people running the banks and pulling all their money out!? LOL, first we need to have money in there to pull, and much of my generation doesn't, it's mainly them big ass baby boomers who have it all..

Sorry for the tangent, but I was happy to hear that Northern Trust, who decided to take $1,600,000,000.00, if you're keeping track at home that's roughly $7/per tax paying citizen in the US. Responding to lawmakers who chastised the company for its lavish sponsorship of parties and concerts at a professional golf tournament, Northern Trust Corp. said Friday it will pay back a $1.6 billion federal bailout loan as quickly as possible. They say it's unfortunate that people are overlooking that the tourney they sponsor has helped raise $50 Million since its inception... (I know that's a big number, but since it's inception? Really?? I'm sure they tried really hard to make that as big of a number as possible...) Also on this Northern Trust company, I will give them credit they did earn $794.8 million in 2008, but since they didn't break the billion dollar profit line, they are going to cut 4.5% of their employees which is about 450 people.. Stay Classy San Diego...

ONTO BIGGER AND BRIGHTER THINGS:

RIDERS>>>RIDERS>>>GO BIG RED>>>

That's right folks, this guy graduated from the BEST High School Institution in North Dakota! PERIOD, no need to debate that at all. As this '02 Alum ran the most profitable School Store North Dakota has on record.. (that's right kids, and yes, we still gave out some 5 finger discounts, but it wasn't a shit show like it used to be. lOl)

So the Red River Roughriders walk into Ralph Engelstad Arena tonight for the North Dakota State High School Championship. This will be for Red River's 14th State Title Banner making them the winningest school since its inception. Also tonight is the 17th straight year that a Grand Forks High School Team will be in the championship game.. (Type in Red River High School Grand Forks, what do you get... a hot chick, an alumni shirt, and some pics of Rider Hockey Players scoring goals.. 'nuff said)

I wish the Boys well tonight.. As they are facing off a Bismark team, which is the 1st team out of the west to make it to the Championship game since 1992.. (Do you believe in Miracles? I don't! ha)


HEYyyy SIOUXxx SIOUXxx.... SIOUXxx YEAaa YEAaa:

That's my best version of what I still yell out in and around the Scottrade Center when I'm at the Blues game.. Ironically, it's helped me link up with numerous amounts of UND supporters..

So today, and tomorrow afternoon if the Sioux sweep the Tigers, which by the way hopefully its ironic Tiger lost in the 2nd round this week, because hopefully the CC Tigers, get swept in Grand Forks. That'll gurantee the Sioux the McNaugton Cup, which goes to the best Regular Season team in the WCHA, the last time they won that was in 2004, with one of the best teams I'd ever seen put together... (we lost a lot of good men after that year.. No Wedding Crashers reference there at all.. wait yep.)

So Sioux let's win two for the sake of all them band wagon jumpers that scrutinized and wrote you off when you were in 9th place out of 10 teams... lol

LET'S GO BLUES! LET'S GO SIOUX?

Ahhh one of my other favorite things to do at a Blues game is to yell Sioux, instead of Blues, and the home of theeeeeeeee SIOOOOUUUUXXXX! It blends in so well with the Blues, it's just meant to be.. So I remember when the Blues were sitting in 2nd place in the Western Conference, then the injuries stock piled.. Plummeting to last place (15th) in the Conference...

Last night I reminded my brother that if the Young Blues win tonight in Phoenix, that'll put them 1 point out of the PLAYOFFS!!!! PLAYOFFS!?!? (that never gets old)

So yes, let' just realize what kind of GREAT DAY I"M HAVING TODAY!! If it all goes well, I might hit up the Strip Clubs and drop some Washington Bombs all over them lubed up Vanilla smelling plastic fun bags!

But if everyone starts losing, it just might be the end of this guy.... Actually not, because my bday's coming up, and with it brings way more fun then I'll have tonight..


HAPPY LAST DAY OF THE WEEK/MONTH!

Western Conference glance...

The NHL has a great schedule make-up currently with thier 82 game schedule..

You play 6 games against your division rivals, and you play 1 game against EVERY team in the NHL. That helps sells seats, and in my opinion is for the Fans.. I truly appreciate the ONLY MAJOR Sport that allows it's players to settle the shit talking amongst themselves.. (And no, they don't use guns, or weapons of any kind, sorry NFL fans)

I'm getting almost as excited for the Blues this year, as I get for the Fighting Sioux every year.. This year, if the team hadn't lost all it's key players that make up over 50% of its salary cap, they would definately be called the most under rated team at the beginning of the year!

BUT, since they somehow wished some bad voodoo onto themselves, they've had to field half an NHL team, and plugged in the other half with an AHL team.. Making for some great efforts, full of heart, as their rookies/young players were the only ones showing skill out there..

Moving on, the Blues have been able to get points in 11 of last 13 games!!! That's pretty huge consider they were in last place in the Western, here's a look as they sit this afternoon:
Team-Games Played-Pts=Avg Pts/game
1. dSan Jose-54-83=1.537
2. dDetroit-57-82=1.439
3. dCalgary-56-71=1.268
4. Chicago-54-70=1.296
5. Vancou-56-62=1.107
6. Dallas-56-63=1.125
7. Colum-57-62=1.088
8. Anahei-58-61=1.052
Edmont-55-60=1.091
Minnes-55-59=1.073
Nashvil-57-57=1.000
LA King-54-56=1.037
StLouis-56-55=0.982
Phoenix-57-55=0.965
Colorado-57-53=0.930

With 26 games remaining my guess is to make the playoffs they'll need to average over 1.12 pts/game.. So currently they're at .982, meaning they'll need to take 32 points over the next 26 games to secure a spot in the playoffs if the rest of the conference stays the course...

Meaning the Blues will need to win 16 of their next 26 games. Or the least they could lose is 1o games. Or tie 20 games and win 6???

Either way this team is a team that has grabbed more in the past 13 then any would have expected and Andy McDonald has returned, and rookie D-Man Roman Polak will be returning soon, giving the Blues their 2nd best D-Man that's somewhat healthy!

It's going to be an exciting February and March!

Playoffs!... Playoffs!??

Ahh yes, it's that time of the year folks...

Teams in all sports are starting to get riled up, and starting to think about the big P word....

March brings us March Madness (the only time college basketball is important in my household. As it's a time to prove to my brother and his friends that one doesn't even need to watch a single game, to beat half of them in picking out a bracket for the 64 teams or however many it is that make "the tournament")

March brings my Birthday, a huge event that it is.. (this year for my bday party I've invited 18,460 people to my party to watch the Blues play the Wild, and also the Scottrade Center is picking up the Food tab!...... and yes, if you're reading this you're invited just pick up a ticket to the game!)

Also March brings me NCAA Men's Hockey Playoffs!! And more importantly for the 5th year in a row, the University of North Dakota's men's hockey team is surging through second half the year like they're men amongst boys..

Or as Gopher player RJ Anderson put it back in January, "They came to a war with guns, and we came with butter knives."

Many may remember when people were doubting the Sioux, and jumping ship when the Sioux were in 9th place in the standings.. I simply disagreed, it doesn't pay to win the 1st half of the season, it pays to be on the giant title wave that is Fighting Sioux Hockey.. (Right Brandon ;) )


But anyway Sioux are in 1st place in the WCHA, and of course sorely overlooked in the National Polls being ranked as high as 7th.. (I think they should be higher, but that's why I'm not an "expert")


UND is 13-6-3 = 22 games played earning 29 points (Left to play: @ #9 Alaska Anchorage, Home vs #4-CC, @ #2 (in my book) Wisco) Avg. rating of teams left to play~5

Denver is 13-7-3 = 23 games played earning 29 points

Wisconsin is 13-7-2 = 22 games played earning 28 points

Works firewall is blocking me from getting Denver's and Wisconsin's schedules.. So my blog post ends here.. Untill I get them, and then I will analyze and predict who will fall where...

You heard it here first!!!!! ha ha ha

It's been tough to be able to put something on here, so stay patient all.. My last post I started on Feb. 6th, and it was going to be a grand story about how I was able to watch a Blues game, watch a girl be a bartender in 5" stilleto's and wearing what looked to be my boxers cut into a small v-piece around her lower torso, and 2 patches on her upper torso, then after we were able to drink ourselves sober we finished by getting so disgusted we fled the state...

In a nutshell it's been 8 days, and to be honest work has devoured my life..

Can't judge the players by their sport...

Last night was an excursion of sorts....

1st off it's very ironic that I blasted a certain type of Professional Athletes in my last post on this blog (that I've been neglecting lately, not my fault, I'm trying to get my tax stuff together, works been crazy yada yada yawn...)...

So last night, I'm meeting up with some friends to have some dinner, while watching the Blues game from one of my favorite spots in the Scottrade Center. (It's in the Bud Light Zone balcony, which is the same floor of the suite level, to kind of give you an idea on where my ideal game watching position is, it gives you the ability to watch the play develop.)

I get introduced by my friend to 2 of his friends.. So were eating and watching the game, I'm sitting next to this cat named Brandon, he's a little shorter then me, but the first thing I noticed was his watch that had me dub him as a rapper through and through in my head.. I mean this guy's watch when rotated to catch the light, damn near blinded me, I mean it's like he put one of Flavor Flav's clocks around his wrist, and frosted it with diamonds.... So it's at the beginning of the game, and he's texting, I'm texting, a sport's agent were sitting with is texting, a Blue's players dad is texting, and our mutual friend is pounding his Red Bull, when a sports writer that covers the Rams comes over and says hi to Brandon, saying "congrats on the signing!"

I'm thinking sweet, this dude signed something..... Then we set our phones on the table to partake in the Blues game.. Then his Blackberry starts blowing up a lil wayne song... Ironically it says: "lil wayne" then his #....... So I tell my neighbor his phone is blowing up, and it looks like it's lil wayne... My friend says who was it?? Then Brandon says Lil Wayne.. Then my friend says as in the rapper? He says Yes....

SOLD! This dudes a rapper!! I knew it!! So I play it cool, and thank god my sissy country music that plays when someone blows me up with a text is turned on vibrate..

So then midway through the period a players wife comes over to join us, and it turns out the sports agent I'm sitting with just started repping the Blues #1 goalie (at the time hint hint, his last name rhymes with Ecstasy)... So his wife is up there talking with us, were having a great time, it's a close game, and then period break comes, and finally, she asks who Brandon is? (I'm thinking yes, I'm finally going to figure this out... Turns out it's Brandon Williams and I guess he just signed on a new contract to play with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but according to his agent who we were sitting with, he tried getting him on the team the week before the Super Bowl! haha LOL (that was his joke not mine)


So the Blues end up losing in the Shootout, in what turned out to be a gut wrenching game...

Later that night though, I find out that a Sport's Cabaret has what they call:

THE BEST CHEST IN THE MIDWEST!

It takes place at 4am in that bar, and trust me, there were only 2 good chests of the 14 that were there.. I was actually disappointed because this sports cabaret is entrenched in between STL's hottest Strip Clubs! I knew we'd see a few of the girls come over to snatch up the $200 top prize, but shockingly only 2 showed at the last minute, pretty much nixing the extremely intoxicated women (except for that one bigger one, she was just sober and loving the attention) on the stage.. You should have seen their faces.. priceless...

Next thing I know it's 4:20am and were running back to the hotel so someone can make their red-eye to Vegas...

NFL Players + Money + Guns + HBO = Crazy

On Inauguration Day, HBO aired a new edition of Real Sports, the first for 2009 and its 14th season of its Emmy Award-winning sports news magazine.In this edition, there were three new stories and one update from 2006. Let's look at the only segment I watched:

Guns & The NFL:

This story is on the debate over NFL players who carry guns. Bernard Goldberg looks into the story. It starts with Bernard talking with former defensive end Marcellus Wiley who grew up in the violent streets of South Central Los Angeles. Wiley says he saw people getting shot. He saw people shoot others and he saw people who were killed after getting shot. Wiley says not even the football field was safe. He says in 9th grade, shots were fired at the football field from a building across the street. Wiley said he had to hit the deck to avoid getting shot.Wiley says he never touched a gun during that time. He never looked at a gun and didn't buy one until he joined the National Football League. (Right, and a frog doesn't bump it's ass everytime it hops?)


But Wiley says eight seconds after he was drafted into the NFL, he bought one.This is not uncommon in the National Football League. Players feel invincible on the field, but once they leave the sanctity of the stadium, they feel they're huge targets.

Daunte Robinson of the Houston Texans did not have a gun until his home was invaded which was situated in a gated community. The invaders stuck a gun in his face, right in front of his two children, then tied him up with duct tape and robbed him.

New York Giants receiver Steve Smith was held up at gunpoint outside his New Jersey home which was also in a gated community.

Richard Collier of the Jacksonville Jaguars lost his leg after he was shot 14 times and is paralyzed.

But the two incidents that hit closest to home for NFL players were the senseless murders of two young players. First it was the drive-by shooting of Derek Williams of the Denver Broncos outside a nightclub. Then the killing of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor in his Miami home really caused players to think about protecting themselves.

Marcellus Wiley says he now knows he's a target. He went from having zero in his bank account to having two commas and several zeroes. Wiley says being a millionaire made him a big target in the eyes of some people. And it also stems from where he came from. Compton in South Central Los Angeles. Wiley says many players came from rough neighborhoods and it's there where they become marked men because people know how much money they make. It's for that reason why many of them have gravitated to guns.

And Wiley goes on to say black players come from New Orleans, Southeast DC, places Wiley calls "murder capitals". And he says his whiteplayers come from places like Palo Alto, affluent neighborhoods. Wiley says his Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are spent in the murder capitals and that is what he has to deal with. (Right, so because it's the holiday's you the millionaire in your poverty stricken family, YOU the player has to travel back to Compton for every holiday?!? Obviously if this guy was smart, he'd simply pay for his family to come to him.. I mean afterall he does have a nice house right?)


Adewale Ogunleye of the Chicago Bears says you have to be crazy to think that you're not a target. Ogunleye lives in South Florida in the offseason, not far from where Sean Taylor was murdered. He believes Taylor might be alive today had he had a gun and not a machete. Ogunleye says players around the league talk about incidents like Taylor and are careful. Even when encountering a fan with the best intentions, players feel they still have to be on the alert in case someone is looking at them in a negative light. It's for that reason why Ogunleye owns a gun and keeps it in his house. Ogunleye bought that weapon from a former teammate on the Miami Dolphins, Jay Williams. He tells Bernard that he doesn't go anywhere without a gun. Williams played in the NFL for ten years and since his retirement, he's become a seller of guns. When he retired, Williams sent out a mass mailing to players letting them know he was in the gun business and said he knew what they were going through and would help to keep them safe.

There are no hard statistics on the number of NFL players who owns guns, but Williams says it's a lot. He thinks the numbers are close to 85% of all NFL players who own a weapon. The NFL tells its players that any handguns must be registered and cannot be anywhere near a league facility. But Williams said he brought a gun to practice every day against the rules. He says when he leaves practice, he's in the real world and if he stops for gas, goes to the store or just gets out of his car for anything, he's going to have his gun on him. (Bad Boys.. Bad Boys.. Whatcha gun do!)

Williams says the fear factor for athletes is not crazy paranoia, it's for real. He says criminals want to get near the athletes for their money and possessions. But Bernard argues that anyone in society can make that argument. Williams counters that the criminal element sees NFL players as the alpha males in the trenches playing a physical sport who make a lot of money, so the element wants to go after them and take what they have.While the player may feel safer, in reality, he may not be. Marcellus Wiley was asked if someone comes up to him pointing a gun, would he pull out his gun? Wiley replied that once a gun is at your head, it's too late, but players don't like the element of surprise. They like to see the play materialize in front of them and then take action. Adewale Ogunleye he understands by having two people with a gun in a confrontation, things could go horribly wrong, but he says having a gun at least gives him a chance of survival. And sometimes owning a gun puts the player in more danger than any potential assailant.

Enter Plaxico Burress who's gun was never registered. Because of that, Burress faces a potential prison sentence. Williams says that incident gave players who carry guns legally a bad name because it was obvious to him that Burress was not mature enough to handle a gun. (Right, and 85% of the NFLPA is mature enough to carry a gun?)

The incident made Wiley think that it could have happened to him. That the gun could have slipped from its holster and cause it to go off. (Right, because players carry their guns in their holsters, and not in the front or in back of their beltline!? C'mon on son, 50 Cent is goin to teach dat wangsta a lesson!)

Like most players, Wiley carried his weapon for peace of mind. But it snowballed from peace of mind to paranoia. He says the gun changed his perspective and what he saw. Instead of seeing a person who wants directions, Wiley was wondering if the person was a carjacker. And when he went to clubs, he would see people staring at him possibly looking for an autograph as people who would want to rob him. But then Wiley began to ask questions that many players may not. Would he be ready to pull a gun if confronted? Could he handle a potential attempted murder charge? Could he handle a murder charge? Even if he pulled the gun and didn't use it, could he handle the legal ramifications? Could he handle if he pulled the gun on the streets, the person he pointed the gun at was coming back? So when he was with the Buffalo Bills, Wiley decided he no longer wanted to own a gun. As he was driving near Niagra Falls, he felt something bad was going to happen the longer he held possession of the weapon. So he threw the gun into the falls and Wiley says he felt a 270 pound gorilla lift off his shoulders. (Dude, you do realize you just tossed your supposed registered hand gun into a river, or worse, it could be picked up by a child or criminal, and take human lives!?!? Way to think that one through... Real mature and responsible, how about taking it in to the local Police Department, and properly relinquishing the gun, I guess if you went to Hunter's Safety, or Weapon's training you'd know that..)


But even with his revelation, Wiley feels the trend is more guns in the NFL. Mostly because of the Sean Taylor incident and because players are making more money and getting more attention.While there's a war mentality on the field, there's one off the field as well. Jay Williams says it's down to who has the biggest advantage, the criminal or him? If the criminal has the gun, he has the advantage, but with Williams and his training, he feels he has the advantage. In the transition, Bryant and Bernard had a lengthy discussion on guns. Bryant asked Bernard if there was any evidence of players being attacked and Bernard replied you don't hear about NHL or baseball players feeling this type of pressure. Perhaps some NBA players do, but it's mostly with the NFL. Bryant wants to know if this is an NFL athlete problem or a black athlete problem. Bernard says it's an economic problem and players come from murder capitals. And in those neighborhoods, guns are a normal part of life. Bryant says the athletes are rich enough to hire bodyguards so why not use them? Bernard says if they do that, the prevalent feeling is that the players are not taking care of their own problems and they're a punk. Crazy story. But as Wiley says, the trend is more guns. Grade - A+. Very disturbing.

Hextall Mind Fluck's the Pio's

Last night was the 1st time I've ever seen a player get inside an opposing team's head and its coaches head so bad that, the whole team lost it's composure.

Also last night was the 1st time I'd ever seen a player mind fock a team to the point the team had to sit 4 players in the penalty box, all in the same sequence of events.

Hat's off to Brett Hextall, he took a huge elbow to the head, then was drug to the ground by another player after the whistle, and penalty was called. Then after that settled out play was supposed to resume, BUT the Denver Pio's goon's weren't done yet.

The ensuing faceoff didn't happen as another Pio Goon, decides to start slashing Hextall before the faceoff even occurs, sending that goon to the penalty box, plus an additional for what I'm sure was unsportmanslike, or delay of game, as the puck hadn't even dropped yet.

The story of last nights game should've been about the Sioux DOMINATING the current #1 team in the WCHA in a convincing manner by a tally of 8-3. But, it'll probably be known more for the DU MENTAL BREAKDOWN..

People love to talk about the Sioux being goons, but what I watched last night, was DU's numerous attempts to goon up the game. I understand when you're getting your butts handed to you by a team that's not supposed to be good, because the guys that do the polls say so. You get frustrated and want to start slashing, face washing the team that's making you look silly.

A few more things stick out, like when the DU players decided that since there was a stoppage in play and the Sioux players were trying to seperate themselves from the Pio players, the Pio players on the bench decided to stick their arms out and start punching the Sioux Players.. Classy..

I wish this was the NHL, as these tactics that the Pio's pulled last night would have never happened if the players were held accountable for their actions.. I mean that little Maini kid that tried to dog collar choke Hextall to the ground from behind after the play was whistled dead, would've put him as the #1 on any NHL Enforcer's List of people to go out and beat down the 1st second they hit the ice! lol (I'm reminded of Cam Janssen this week pointing at Cam Barker after his boarding/checking from behind/interference 5 minute Major on David Backes, it looked ugly, and Cammer was leaning over the dasher pointing and yelling, and the best part was the audio picked it up, and to keep it PG, he mainly just said that he's #1 on "the list", and that's how Pro Hockey settles it)

NCAA hockey, just lets it elevate, so the ensuing 5x3 powerplay the Sioux have DU sends out its goon line, and tries to injure the Sioux's top 3 forwards... I mean Coach Gwoz "knows the code" which obviously means when you're the coach that's up 5 goals, and on a 2-man advantage powerplay, you don't send out your best forwards, you send out your 5 goons to match up with his 3 goons..

Nice....

But hey, at least I get to watch round #2 tonight! So far with me watching the Sioux live, they're averaging 8 goals/game.. If they win by a blowout again tonight, like say 8-1.... I wonder what excuse some will come up with next??

Siouxper Sweep!?

Tonight will be my first chance at watching the Sioux team live! Weird I know, but many times the Sioux have played at the same time as the fabled Blues. So I've had to watch the Sioux games via Internet after I've found out who scores and everything, kind of taking the fun away, but in reality I try my hardest not to go on the Internet till after I've watched the games... It's been a tough season for this guy..

SO, getting to the point, if the Sioux get swept, I'll never watch this team live on the Internet again... (notice I left myself an out, just in case I come home this year and watch them in person, or in the cities)

BUT, if they SWEEP the Pio's (I always love saying PIE-O, and then follow it up with CRAP/Shit the latter when I'm drunk... yes I'm still bitter from the West regional in '04 when Bochenski and Parise were told by Blaiser not to leave the ice until they scored. {Dean their was like 5 minutes left in the game!?}) sorry, if they sweep the Pio's they move into the #1 spot in the league! It'll be the 1st time probably ever that the #1 team in the WCHA will be ranked lower in the polls.. Showing once and for all the people who do the polls are that useless..

If they split, it's like sister kissing. I hate ties, and ties should be settled via shootout! Or in the case of a split, they should play a 3rd game on Sunday! That would be awesome!! Wow, am I getting way off topic..

Well I wish I was at Buffalo Wild Wings in G-Forks right now, as I'd be pounding Beers, and eating up all them O-rings with that sauce add in some boneless Mild's and you got yourself one great pre-game party!

1st day in Office.. Thanks Obama

Well its always nice to know that the media hasn't ran with this "SPECIAL" story....

I mean afterall, every American knew how much the Republican party spent on clothing Sarah Palin?! (It's not her fault, she lives in Alaska, which is similar to Grand Forks, only nicer, which means she shouldn't have designer gowns, and dresses it's freaking COLD PEOPLE)

So Republicans spend $150k on clothing Palin family.

OBAMA's 1/2 day in office he spends $140 MILLION on his inauguration security detail..
And not a peep out of the media?? C'mon that's rediculous. If this guy is going to save the world and turn apple trees into money trees. Why did he need to outspend the last President, President George W Bush, by about 4 times. (George Bush spent $40.2 Million on security, after winning one of the closest President's elections.)

Also has anyone noticed that since Obama's took office the price of gas across the nation has increased $0.35.. That's 3 days folks!

God.. err I mean Allah Help This Country!