Win gets Penguins more than just back into the series

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

You didn't really think this was going to be a sweep, did you?

The home fans conducted a "white out" while hoping their team wasn't white washed in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals and early in the first period, it looked like that was going to be the precice result. But the Pens bounced back and with a 4-2 victory on home ice, the Penguins not only got themselves back into the series. They found they can do the things they need to to get back in this series.

1) Evgeni Malkin had to come through.
After his cheap shot raised controversy as a one-game instigator ban was erased by the NHL, Malkin had to make a statement with something other than some late-in-the-game unsportsmanlike conduct to pick up his team. He did so, notching three assists as the general of the second line.

2) The Penguins need to get others involved in the offense
While Crosby and Malkin potted over 25 percent of Pittsburgh's goals during the regular season, they can't score every goal for the Penguins if they hope to win this series. On several occasions Crosby proved he was the most skilled player on the ice by drawing two Red Wings to creat opportunities for teammates. The great first period chance when he split the defense, then sent a pass in front of the crease to a wide open Bill Guerrin (a native of a Springfield, MA suburb, if you didn't know) set a very good precedent for the remainder of the game.

3) Sergei Gonchar must be a factor
Gonchar should have been given an assist on Henrik Zetteberg's goal in the first, it seems like a million years since Gonchar had registered a point. He remains the Penguins' best option offensively on the blue line and he picked a heck of a time to be a veteran leader and record his first multi-point game of the playoffs.

4) Exploiting the Detroit penalty kill is a must
Detriot's penalty kill has been more than suspect all year long, with a dismal 78.6 rating on the year and a 73.3 mark in the playoffs. While the Penguins' power play was less than stelar this season, this was a weakness that HAS to be exploited. Two power play goals in three tries sets a pretty good tone for the rest of the series.

To say the Penguins have an advantage at this point with home ice is stretching it. Detroit was one of the best road teams in hockey. The Wings and your Boston Bruins were the only two teams in the league to record 24 wins on the road. But hope is rising once again in Pittsburgh. But they have to keep doing what they did tonight to have a chance.

Air Force Academy pitching coach joins Fan Fanatic Sports

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's been quite the baseball coaching journey for Scott Marchand, a former St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School star.

Marchand, who played three seasons of college baseball at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. and one year at Fitchburg State College, got into the coaching ranks as an assistant at his alma mater at St. Bernard's and then at the Regis Jesuit High School American Legion team in Aurora, Colo.

Marchand finally got his shot at the United States Air Force Academy where he served in various roles, including defensive coordinator and assistant hitting coach, all while teaching 7th grade full-time.

Marchand worked extremely hard and was rewarded by the Air Force staff, naming him the full-time pitching coach in 2006, the same position he holds to this day.

"It was a dream come true right there," Marchand said. "For me as a player, being paid to play wasn't in the cards, but to make a living as a coach in the game of baseball is a dream come true."

In season, Marchand is as busy as can be. It's virtually baseball 24/7, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

"I don't look at it as grueling, but it's a choice," Marchand said. "You do it and the time flies by. I love working with people and being a coach."

This season, the Falcons were 14-36 and 3-16 in the Mountain West Conference.

Although the season is officially over, Marchand isn't done with baseball because he's Air Force's nationwide recruiting coordinator.

While baseball is extremely important to everyone on the staff, it's not the most important thing. Academics are priority No. 1 at the Academy.

"The Academy is not about baseball first and foremost," Marchand said. "I feel very confident in the product we have as a school. You know you're going to get one of the best educations, besides the Ivy League schools.

"We're looking for an SEC-ACC talent in a kid that is focused on a different life plan that sees education is the most important thing in their life. We want kids to want to push themselves. It's tough academically here, it's very challenging."

 

PHOTO / Rachel Bottcher

Random Thoughts & Ponderings: Baseball Style

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

And now deep thoughts, by Jack Handy. Just kidding, but I d0 want to touch on a lot of different topics today. The baseball season is now two months old. This is the time for major league team and fantasy owners to take stock of his/her team and plan accordingly for the rest of the season. If you're the Red Sox, you need to get another bat to replace David Ortiz. If you're my last place fantasy team, then you need to try and trade Hanley Ramirez and pick up a good bat and starting pitcher in return. I have 4 fantasy baseball teams this year. I am in 1st, 2nd & 3rd in my other three leagues, but dead last (15th in a 15 team league) in the league that I care the most about.

I would love to see Jake Peavy in a Dodgers uniform, but the odds of that happening are zero. First, the Padres would need to be willing to trade him within the division. Second, Peavy would actually have to agree to the trade. I think the 2nd obstacle would be easier to bypass. Why wouldn't Peavy like to stay in Southern California and play in a pennant race? Could they Dodgers look into Roy Oswalt like the White Sox did? Sure, but from what I've heard on the radio and read in a few articles the Astros want a truck load of prospects. That seems like too steep of a price for me.

Here's one for you Chad. Won't it be nice to see Jonathon Papelbon closing for the Yankees in a few years? Papelbon has pretty much stated he wants to set the new benchmark for highest paid closer when he reaches free agency in a few years. There is now way the Red Sox will pay him that much money to keep him in Fenway. In my opinion, the closer position is the easiest to replace, and Daniel Bard sure looks good already. He's the closer in waiting for the Sox, so you shouldn't fret too much over the imminent departure of Jonathon Papelbon.

Thank god Manny Ramirez has dropped to 5th in voting for the All Star Game in the outfield. If, for some reason, the fans vote him to start in the All Star game it would be the perfect time to remove that right from baseball fans. I have always been against fan voting, even though I vote myself, and think the MLB should adopt a process similar to the NFL. I'd rather see coaches, GM's and players deciding 100% of the players to the game, but I know that would never happen. It would be PR suicide for the MLB. At least if that happened the right players would be voted into the game.

My boss, Barry, brought up an interesting question yesterday. Why does the College Baseball World Series have to be in Omaha every year? Good question. The Final Four, Frozen Four and NCAA College Football Championship change sites each year. I think it would help grow the sport of College Baseball to move it around each year. I know people will let me know about the tradition, but who REALLY cares? Congrats to Boston College for a great baseball season. Winning 34 games and making it to the tournament is an amazing achievement. They've done far better in the ACC than I ever thought they would. Congrats to Texas for most likely ending the career of Austin Woods. No pitcher should throw 169 pitches in one outing. It was an amazing outing though. 12 1/3 of no hit innings.

Well, that's about it for now. I have a million other things I'd like to touch on, but should keep that for the next time.

Dirty play doesn't matter to the NHL

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So the NHL has decided to waive the manditory one-game suspension on Evegni Malkin after his cheap shot in the Stanley Cup Finals second game last night.

But honestly, can we really be surprised?

If the league is going to be lenient on such players as Scott Walker, do we honestly think that they'd bring the hammer down on one of the biggest attractions to this series?

Let's be clear - Malkin's actions in the Penguins' second-straight 3-1 loss was blatantly dirty It was after the whistle and happened with seconds left and deserves serious punishment. It's clear what Malkin was trying to do. His team has been punched in the mouth and completely dominated twice in a 24-hour period. Someone needed to do something to light a fire under their asses. Fine. That's easy to see. But there are ways to do that within the rules of the game. Malkin went outside those rules to try and send a message.

By letting it slide, the league is also sending a clear message - they don't really care about the rules if it means better ratings.

There's nothing wrong with good, hard-nosed hockey. But dirty, punk moves cannot be allowed. What is it going to take? Is someone's career going to have to end before the league starts upholding its own rules?

The NHL wants players like Malkin on the ice, regardless of whether they violate the rules or not. Why? Because they want the sport to be talked about and without superstars, that's not going to happen. But just wait until someone dies from a cheap shot. Then everyone will have lots to talk about.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I've been saying it all along and maybe no one really heard me: Boston's Jon Lester will turn it around.

Lester, who came into the season as the ace of Boston's staff and probably a No. 2 starter on your fantasy team, has been a pretty big bust this year, but if yesterday's spectacular start against the Blue Jays is any indication, then Lester is on his way back to becoming the same pitcher that won 16 games and had a 3.21 ERA last season.

The southpaw was absolutely dealing versus the Jays. He worked six strong innings -- probably his best six innings of the season -- allowing only three hits, one earned run, three walks and 12 -- yes, 12!!! -- strikeouts. 

His stuff is no joke. When he locates his fastball and has his curveball and changeup working, he's one of the best left-handers in the game.

Although Lester is only 4-5 and still has an awful 5.65 ERA, now is the time to BUY on the lefty. He's not going to come cheap, however. 

While Lester hasn't been lights out this year -- he had given up at least 5 runs in 4 of his last 6 starts -- he's shown signs of being an ace. In his last start vs. the Jays on May 21, Lester went 6 1/3 innings, allowing 8 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts for the win. On May 4, he whiffed 10 Yankees for the win and struck out 9 and threw 7 scoreless innings on April 19 vs. the Orioles.

So his stuff has always been there -- you don't average more than a strikeout an inning if you're stuff isn't good. Lester's problems have stemmed from giving up hits with runners in scoring position and he's also been killed by the big inning.

Trust me, if you can land Lester fairly cheap, do it immediately. But expect to have to pay for Lester's services because we all know what he's capable of doing every five days. 

I think yesterday's start will get the lefty going and your fantasy team starting to climb up in the pitching categories.

BURN BABY BURN

Minnesota's Nick Blackburn is usually the third pitcher you think of when you mention the Twins (Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey), but you better know who he is now after the soft-tossing righty improved to 5-2 after beating the Rays yesterday. Blackburn went six innings, allowing two earned runs, one walk and one strikeout to lower his ERA to 3.50. Blackburn isn't going to help you with strikeouts (34 Ks in 69 1/3 innings), but you can't by unhappy with everything else. He's only owned in 10 percent of standard 5 x 5 Yahoo! leagues, so don't be afraid to go out and grab him.

BUEHRLE MAN

Chicago White Sox's Mark Buehrle is throwing like he did when he won 19 games in 2002. Well, that might be stretching it, but more like the same guy that had consecutive 16-win seasons (2004, 05). The lefty currently has six wins, a 2.71 ERA and 1.15 ERA. Based on where you drafted him, I'll go out on a limb and say he's been a steal so far. Did anyone outside of Chicago expect this from him? I doubt it.

Sox Continue Road Woes

By Erik Pesta
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

An alarming trend is starting to form - it's becoming more and more obvious that the Boston Red Sox can't win away from Fenway Park. They are now 11-16 on the road, compared to a dominant 17-6 home record. What is to make of this? To beat an old horse, especially in this space, the starting pitching has been nothing short of horrendous. I have confidence in nobody, save for the 40-something guy who throws 68 miles per hour. To borrow a joke from Bill Simmons, read that sentence again.

The offense has sputtered recently, but has by no means been horrible. Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis, and Jason Varitek have all performed at a high level. Reigning A.L. MVP Dustin Pedroia, Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, and even Julio Lugo (seriously, Julio Freaking Lugo) have certainly contributed. The only person who hasn't pulled his (considerable) weight is David Ortiz. I'm probably not alone in saying that I'm getting pretty fed up with him. Enough is enough. He makes WAY too much money to cut him, and Tito would never do that, anyway. Fine. Bat him ninth, then. Seriously. It pains me to see him step into the box. As a Red Sox fan, I'm crushed.

This is hard. Ortiz is one of the most important sports figures to hit Boston since Larry Bird. In my lifetime, there aren't many on the Hick's level: Brady, Pedro, Bourque, the spot posthumously held for Manny, and Papi. That's it. That's the list. Screw Clemens. Garnett and Pierce are knocking on the door, but they aren't there yet. Garnett will be in Springfield on the first ballot, but hasn't been here long enough. Paul Pierce has been a Celtic for 12 seasons, has endured the worst years and enjoyed the best; he will forever have the love and respect he deserves from Celtics fans. But there is something missing. He never gave himself to us the way Ortiz did. And that makes a difference, at least to me.

Big Ten Expansion! Keep out Notre Dame?

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

"I'm oooooold! And I'm not happy! And I don't like things now compared to the way they used to be." - Dana Carvey as The Grumpy Old Man on SNL

If I were 82 years old and was the winningest coach in college football I guess I would speak my mind freely too. That's what Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno did at an alumni event on Wednesday. Paterno would love to see a 12th team join the Big Ten to help with scheduling and of course a lucrative conference title game. That sounds great to me, the problem is "Joe Pa" wants nothing to do with Notre Dame being that school added.

As a huge Notre Dame fan, I believe this would be the best thing for the school and the conference. Paterno says no, he'd like to see either Rutgers, Pittsburgh or Syracuse join the Big Ten. Penn State joined as the conference's 11th team in 1990, so does he get to choose who becomes the 12th. Paterno said he'd like the Big Ten to add an Eastern school, especially one that plays in the New York media market. That would seem to favor Rutgers. "If I had my choice, someone that can give us the biggest TV exposure in the East," Paterno said, offering as possibilities "Syracuse, Pitt, Rutgers. Not in that order."

The Fighting Irish rejected an invitation to join the Big Ten more than a decade ago for great reasons. At the time they were still a national powerhouse and NBC was paying big bucks to have the exclusive television rights for all home games. Yes Notre Dame has been down for the past decade, excluding the last two Brady Quinn years. But, there is an ebb and flow to college football that Penn State knows very well with a 26-33 record the first five years of this decade and 40-11 the last four.

"There's some pressure, I would suppose, to maybe go back to Notre Dame and ask again, which I would not be happy with," Paterno said. "I think they've had their chance."

Notre Dame is the most polarizing school by far in the country, you either love 'em or you hate 'em. But, the Irish would bring in more recruits to the Big Ten and much larger TV ratings than Syracuse, Pitt, or Rutgers could ever hope for. Does the elderly Paterno realize what kind of a following Notre Dame has worldwide. If he is looking to add a school for TV exposure it doesn't make sense to take a school from the Big East that nobody watches anyways. There is no need to snatch a school that is already affiliated with a conference. Take the independent ND and watch the TV numbers soar for the Big Ten you old fool.

"Progress?! Flobble-de-flee! In my day, when we were angry and frustrated, we just said, 'Flobble-de-flee!' 'cause we were idiots and we didn't know what else to say! Just a bunch o' illiterate Cro-Magnons, blowin' on crusty handkerchiefs, waitin' in lines for our head to burst into flame and that's the way it was and we liked it!" - Dana Carvey as The Grumpy Old Man on SNL