FFS needs your help!

By the Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The site has been live now for nearly a month, and everyone here at FFS has been having a great time getting this up and running.  Now the staff is excited to start taking us to the next level.  As I mentioned in the title of this blog, we need the help of our loyal fans.  Please provide us with feedback on the following items and anything else you can think of:

1. The look and feel of the website

2. The quality of content

3. The quality of our staff

4. Overall likes and dislikes

5. Other sports we should be covering

6. The new slogan

We're trying to build a site that is fun and informative for you to visit on a daily, or hourly, basis. Over the next few weeks, we'll be unveiling the Fan Fanatic Sports logo.  Along with that we'll be providing our loyal readers with all new FFS merchandise.  You'll be seeing t-shirts, hats, beer steins and window clings.  All of this leads up the our move to our permanent site location.  This week we bought the domain name www.fanfanaticsports.com.  All of your input will help us build the new and exciting site.  

From all hear at Fan Fanatic Sports, we thank you very much for your support.  Please let us know what we can do better and remember, "We're not your ordinary fans!"

Have a great Easter and Passover weekend

National Championship Preview: The year of the Terrier

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

If you didn't tune in for the 2nd national semifinal last night, then you missed one hell of a hockey game.  The Vermont Catamounts gave the top seeded Boston University Terriers more than a run for their money.  The Terriers quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to a beautifully tipped shot by Colin Wilson and another by Jason Lawrence.  Many a BU fan thought the game was over from there.

Boy, were they wrong.  The Terriers couldn't stay out of the penalty box, so the Catamounts played the majority of the 2nd period with a man advantage.  Vermont answered with three straight goals in the 2nd period thanks to BU's freshman goalie Kieran Milan.  Milan looked like he was ready to wilt under the pressure at times.  He let in two soft goals during the game, one of which was unacceptable.  Freshman Vinny Saponari tied the game with 1:21 left in the 2nd period to get BU back on the right track.  

The 3rd period was one of the most exciting periods of hockey I've seen all year, regardless of the level.  Vermont showed the Terriers time after time they weren't the least bit intimidated by them, or by the stage.  Vermont scored their 2nd power play goal of the game with about 11 minutes left.  From there, the Catamounts started to make BU fans nervous.  With just under 6 minutes left in the game, Chris Higgins scored his 14th goal of the season on an odd man rush. Higgins was attempting to pass the puck to Jason Lawrence for a quick snap shot, but the puck was deflected of a Vermont defender and went in the net.  The goal was reminiscent of the game winner two weeks ago versus New Hampshire with 15 seconds left. From there, BU took over the game.  With 4:41 seconds left in the game Colin Wilson was in the right place on a deflection right in front of Vermont's goalie Rob Madore for the his 2nd goal of the game and the ultimate game winner.  

It was a phenomenal game to watch, and the single most important player in the game was Hobey Baker finalist Colin Wilson.  The sophomore, most likely headed to Nashville after the season, was by far the best and most electric player on the ice.  

The first national semifinal of the night was somewhat of a blowout.  The first period was a tight, well played scoreless period between Miami (Ohio) and Bemidji State.  Miami dominated much of the game and scored 3 of their 4 goals in the 2nd period.  Miami did an amazing job of crowding the Beavers passing and shooting lanes.  Every time a Bemidji State player tried to bring the puck up the ice, a Red Hawk defender was there.  Not only did Miami play well on the defensive end, they also had 37 shots on net.  An amazing barrage, that if not for Bemidji State freshman Matt Dalton, would have been even more of a lopsided end.  

Miami does have a tall task Saturday night.  They're playing a Terrier team that withstood a tough game they could have easily lost.  BU's goalie can now relax and settle down because he knows his offense can help bail him out if necessary.  BU can't take the Red Hawk's lightly either as they've looked so impressive since the start of the NCAA Tournament.

Prediction:  4-2 Boston University.  I've called it all along.  They have too much talent not to win this game.  They have the best offense in the nation, 3 solid defensive parings and the best goalie in the nation.  

Make sure to see my championship game review on Sunday morning.