Saturday, April 26, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
After a heartbreaking highway robbery, er loss to the Canadiens in the first game of their 2nd round playoff series, the Flyers were looking to regroup tonight in game 2 and at least return home for games 3 and 4 with the series tied. Thanks to 34 dazzling saves by Marty Biron, and some timely goals they were able to do just that. Early in the first period of play, R.J Umberger scored for a 1-0 Flyer's lead. A few minutes later Jeff Carter scored on the power play for a 2-0 Flyer's lead. Then late in the period Saku Koivu scored on the power play for the Habs to cut the lead to 2-1. Late in the 2nd period of play, Danny Briere scored for a 3-1 Flyer's lead. Early in the 3rd period of play Andrei Markov scored for the Habs to cut the lead to 3-2. Then late in the period with just over 2 minutes to play, Umberger scored again for a 4-2 Flyers lead. From there Montreal pulled goalie Carey Price in an effort to make another late comeback as they had in game 1, but this time it was to no avail and the Flyer's evetually hung on to win 4-2 and even the series at 1 game a piece. Now the series shifts to the friendly confines of the Wachovia center for a pivotal game 3. May the best team win.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued on their current roll, tonight in the 2nd of a 2 game set with the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Kyle Kendrick got the start and produced his best performance of the season thus far, allowing just 4 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils roughed up the Pirates Matt Morris for 6 runs on 6 hits in just an inning and 2/3rds and it simply stood up the rest of the way. Now onto the game. In the top of the first inning, Ryan Howard slugged a 2 run homer, Geoff Jenkins slapped an RBI single, and scored on a single by Eric Bruntlett, and finally Chris Coste was hit by a pitch and scored on an error for a 5-0 Phils lead. In the top of the 2nd inning Geoff Jenkins slapped another RBI single for a 6-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd Nate Mclouth hit an RBI single and scored on a double by Freddy Sanchez to cut the lead to 6-2. In the top of the 6th, Jayson Werth doubled in a run and scored on a double by Pedro Feliz to push the lead to 8-2. In the bottom of the 7th Doug Mientkiewicz singled and scored on a fielder's choice to cut the lead to 8-3. In the bottom of 8th Nate Mclouth slammed a solo homer to cut the lead to 8-4. Finally, following the homer by Mclouth, Rudy Seanez, and Ryan Madson combined to close out the Pirates and an 8-4 Phils win. So the Phils move to 14-11 overall and appear well on their way to an April above .500 for the first time in a long time.
EAGLES NEWS
It Was an interesting first day of the draft for the Eagles. There was a lot of speculation over what need they would fill first with the 19th pick of the First round. Surprisingly, instead of filling one of their needs with the pick, they traded it away to Carolina, and found themselves out of the first round for the second year in a row. They then traded down again in the 2nd round before finally selecting Notre Dame Defensive Tackle Trevor Laws with the 47th pick of the second round. Two picks later at #49 the Birds finished off their day by stealing California Wide Reciever DeSean Jackson. Laws is a solid pick who many considered to be a sleeper and possible draft day steal. For the Eagles he'll provide the depth they needed at tackle behind Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley, hopefully suring up the Bird's d-line for years to come. Jackson will fill a lingering need the Eagles have had and ignored for years, kick returner/punt returner, and he's got the explosive speed to burn many a special teams unit. Unfortunately, he's a little small at 5-9 and is purportedly not a very good route runner, as he spent his college years simply running past the opposition, but with a little work in the weight room, and on the practice he could also be a solid contributor for the Eagle's offense. In fact, he's already the perfect candidate to run all the reverses and trick plays Andy Reid likes to run, so in that respect he's already improved an Eagles' offense that was seemingly just a playmaker away a year ago from finally making some noise again.
Friday, April 25, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
With their series now tied 1-1, the Sixers returned home to the Wachovia center tonight to face the Pistons in game 3. Back in game 2 the Pistons came out aggressive and never let up throttling the Sixers into submission. Tonight it was a bit of a role reversal. Although it took them 3 quarters to do so, it was the Sixers who eventually put the throttle down and ran away with it while the Pistons could only stand idly by and watch. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Samuel Dalembert, Thaddeus Young) with Sammy D's 22 leading the way. Defensively, it was Sammy D leading the way again with 16 rebounds and 2 blocks, as the Sixer's defense had the game of its collective lives, holding Detroit to 40% shooting from the field, out rebounding them 43-34, and forcing them to committ 25 turnovers on a night to remember. In the first quarter of play, it was a tight game and in fact was tied at 20, heading into the 2nd. In the 2nd quarter of play, the Sixers squeaked out to a 4 point lead, their first pre-half lead of the series with the score, 44-40. In the 3rd quarter of play, the Sixers energetic D, shutdown the Pistons, forcing turnover after turnover, en route to racing out to a 24 point lead at one point ,before settling for a 15 point lead, with the score 70-55 heading into the 4th. Finally in the 4th quarter of play the Sixers were simply on cruise control easily disposing of the Pistons by 20, with the final score 95-75. So now the Sixers lead 2 games to 1 and are a home win on Sunday away from taking a commanding lead in the series.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils stayed on a roll today as they traveled to Pittsburgh to play the struggling Pirates. Adam Eaton got the start and had a bit of a rough outing, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits in just 3 and 2/3rds innings of work. Fortunately, the bullpen came up big again in the later innings and the Phils were able to hang on for a big win. Now onto the game. In the top of the first inning Chris Coste slapped a 2 run double for a 2-0 Phils lead. In the top of the 3rd, Jayson Werth crushed a solo homer and Coste knocked in another run with a single, to push the lead to 4-0. In the top of the 4th, Brad Harman, recently recalled from AAA to fill JRoll's spot on roster, smacked an RBI double and scored on a single by Jayson Werth, to push the lead to 6-0 Phils. The Pirates finally got on the board, in the bottom of the inning as Jason Bay homered and Xavier Nady doubled in a run and Doug Mientkiewicz doubled in yet another run to cut the lead to 6-3. In the bottom of the 5th, Ryan Doumit slapped a 2 run single to cut the lead to 6-5 and suddenly it looked like the Phils might blow the lead. Fortunately, from there, Flash Gordon, J.C Romero, and Brad Lidge combined to shut down and close out the Pirates, for a 6-5 win. So the Phils move to 2 games over .500 in April at 13-11.
EAGLES NEWS
The NFL draft begins tomorrow and it will be interesing to see which way the Eagles got with their first round pick. Will they take a wide reciever, will they take a safety, or will they go with the Andy Reid special and take and o-lineman. We'll see tomorrow afternoon.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their 2 game set with the Brew Crew today with a bang. The veteran Jamie Moyer got the start and produced his best performance of the season thus far, allowing just 1 run on 8 hits in 6 innings. The bullpen was also clutch again, backing up Moyer, in this a pitcher's duel to the sweet tune of 0 runs on 1 hit in 3 innings of work, and after starting the season a bit shaky it might actually turn out to be a real strength for the Phils. On to the game itself. In the bottom of 3rd, Ryan Braun slapped an RBI single for a 1-0 Brewer lead. In the top of the 6th Jayson Werth banged a solo homer to tie it at 1. In the top of the 8th Pat "the Bat" Burrell slammed a clutch two out bases clearing double, plating Chase Utley and Greg Dobbs, for a 3-1 Phils lead. From there J.C Romero and Brad Lidge combined to put away the Brew Crew in final two innings, but only after Flash Gordon bailed out a tired Moyer in the 7th, getting out of a bases loaded with one out jam to help close out an important 3-1 Phils win, that puts them back above .500 at 12-11 overall. Not too bad if you ask me.
FLYERS NEWS
Tonight, after a thrilling game 7 victory to close out their first round series with the Caps, the Flyers turned right around and began their 2nd round series with the# 1 seed Montreal Canadiens in Montreal. Surprisingly despite obvious stats, that would suggest the Flyers were going to be over matched, they made a game of it and nearly pulled a game 1 miracle. The Flyers played their best defense of the year, allowing the Habs just 34 shots on goal. Sadly, questionable officiating, particularly on late calls that didn't go the Flyer's way, erased all that hard work. Late in the first period of play R.J Umberger and Jim Dowd each scored within a few minutes of each other for a quick 2-0 Flyer's lead. Late in the 2nd period of play, Andrei Kostitsyn scored to cut the lead to 2-1. Then about 6 minutes later Alexei Kovalev scored an apparent shorthanded goal, but with an illegal high stick, that a blind referee missed and just like that it was all tied up at 2. Early in the 3rd period of play game 7 hero, Joffrey Lupul, was it again scoring on the power play for a 3-2 Flyer's lead. Then late in the period with just under 30 seconds to play, Mike Richards got penalized on a questionable tripping call, that appeared to be a flop by Alexie Kovalev. At any rate though , Kovalev made it count as Jeff Carter's stick broke off a faceoff and Kovalev fired the puck in the net pass the broken stick, to tie it up at 3 and send the game into overtime. There, just 48 seconds into the overtime Tom Kostopoulous slapped in a rebound to cap off 4-3 highway robbery, er win by the Habs. So now the Habs lead 1 game to 0 and the Flyers will have to rebound quickly and win game 2.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
Coming into tonight the Phils had won 3 in a row and were above .500 for the first time all season as they traveled to Milwaukee to begin a 2 game set with the Brewers. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite go as well as the last three. Cole Hamels got the start and after a rocky first inning, he settled down and went 7 innings allowing 5 runs on 8 hits, just enough for the Brew Crew to steal victory. In the bottom of the first inning the Brew Crew quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead as Gabe Kapler slapped an RBI single and Prince Fielder crushed a two run homer. In the top of the 3rd inning Chase Utley banged another homer, his league leading 10th, to cut the lead to 3-1. In the top of the 5th Greg Dobbs slammed a 2 run homer to tie it at 2. In the top of the 6th Pat "the Bat" Burrell sent a solo homer into the seats to put the Phils up 4-3. From there it appeared as if Hamels would steer the Phils to victory, but Charlie Manuel went to the well one many times, as in the bottom of the 8th a tired Hamels served up another two run homer to Fielder and suddenly the Brew Crew led 5-4. Finally, in the 9th, after So Taguchi, had walked, stole second, and advanced to 3rd on an error with just one out, Jayson Werth struck out, and Pedro Feliz grounded out weakly, to bail out Derrick Turnbow and finish off a 5-4 Brewer's win. So the Phils drop to back to .500 at 11-11.
SIXERS NEWS
After beginning their first playoff run in 3 years on Sunday, with a stunning win over the Detroit Pistons, the Sixers came into tonight feeling confident. That confidence may have eroded after tonight. From the onset Detroit came out with an energy they never had on Sunday and never let up. In other words the Sixers never had that chance they had Sunday to rally from behind. All they could do was stand by and watch as Detroit romped to victory. Offensively, it was a struggle for the Sixers as they shot only 39% from the field, although 5 Sixers scored in double figures(Thaddeus Young, Andre Miller, Louis Williams, Reggie Evans, Rodney Carney) with sweet Lou's 17 leading the way. Defensively, it was not a good night for the Sixers, as although they turned the ball over only 10 times, they were out rebounded 42-34 and allowed Detroit to shoot 54.9% from the field, definitely not a recipe for victory. In the first quarter of play, the Pistons jumped out to a quick lead, but somehow the Sixers managed to stay within 7, with score 25-18. In the second quarter of play, the Pistons just kept taking it too the Sixers and by the half they lead by 17, with the score 53-36. In the 3rd quarter of play, the Pistons continued to pull away and led by 22, with the score 84-62 heading into the 4th. Finally, in the 4th quarter of play, the Sixers actually made some inroads, but it was of no use as the Pistons still won going away by 17, with the final score 105-88. So now with the series tied at a game a piece it shifts to the Wachovia center where hopefully the Sixers will regain the momentum they had after game 1.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
It's been a long strange trip so far for the Phils this season, but tonight they finally took a big step forward in the right direction, as they finished off their 2 game set with the Rockies at Coors field. Brett Myers got the start for the Phils, and pitched well for Coors, allowing just 6 runs on 11 hits. Meanwhile ,the Phils still coundn't do to much early on but once again a late rally or a late collapse by Colorado saved them. In the top of the 3rd inning Chase Utely slapped a 2 run double for an early 2-0 Phils lead. The Rockies came right back in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double by Matt Holliday to cut the lead to 2-1. In the top of the 4th, Pat Burrell walked and scored on a bases loaded walk to push the lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the inning Brad Hawpe tripled and scored and Willie Taveras banged an RBI double to knot it up at 3. Then in the bottom of the 5th, Matt Holiday crushed a solo homer to put the Rockies ahead 4-3. In the top of the 7th Jayson Werth crushed a solo homer to knot it up at 4. In the bottom of inning Garret Atkins came right back with a two run homer to put the Rockies back up 6-4. In the top of the 8th Greg Dobbs slapped a clutch two out single to score Pedro Feliz and cut the lead to 6-5. Then in the top of the 9th, Pat Burrell slammed the hit of the game, a bases loaded double, that cleared the bases and put the Phils up for good 8-6. Finally, in the bottom of the 9th Brad Lidge put the Rockies down in order and at long last the Phils could say they were above .500 at 11-10 overall. It's about time.
FLYERS NEWS
From the agony of defeat last night, to the thrill of victory tonight. The Flyers have done a complete emotional 360 as they concluded there series with the Caps tonight. Last night they played hard for 2 periods, but everything fell apart in despair in the 3rd period. Tonight however, they just kept fighting all night long until the outcome was assured. Marty Biron had another solid night saving 39 of the 41 shots he faced. Meanwhile, the Flyers had only 34 shots on goal but they made them count. Early in the first period of play Nicklas Backstrom scored on the Caps power play for a 1-0 Caps lead. Then late in the period Scottie Upshall scored on the Flyer's power play to knot it at 1. Midway through the 2nd period of play, Sami Kapanen scored to put the Flyers up 2-1. Then late in the period, who else, but Alexander Ovechkin scored to tie it at 2. In the 3rd period of play neither team could score and this decisive game 7 when into a thrilling overtime. There, after several good chances to score for both teams, Joffrey Lupul finally knocked one in, 6 minutes into period to cap off a dramatic 3-2 Flyers victory and a 4-3 series win. So the now jubilant Flyers advance to the second round. Who would have thunk it?
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