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General Sports

For Love Of The Game: Retirement Case Studies To Help Jamie Moyer

“If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.”–Orson Welles

My dad tells this story of his friend’s big night at the craps table in Vegas. It was one of those scenes that generally doesn’t exist in reality–the casino’s population all concentrated around this one table, my dad’s friend spurred on by the rallying cries of everyone around him.  He was holding court, throwing more and more colored chips on every space of felt left on the table, which at that point looked like the streets of New Orleans at the height of Mardi Gras. The story is legendary, as the entire table was up thousands of dollars.

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Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Looking Ahead

As the Montreal Canadiens look ahead to the 2008/2009 season, they have high aspirations. This is the Habs 100th year in the league. They have many big events planned for this upcoming year. But what would make things so much sweeter for the faithful Habs fans is a Stanley Cup. Every year, fans in Montreal expect their team to be a cup contender.

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NHL General

I’m Sorry- You’re Sorry- Bettman Should Be Sorry

I’m sorry, you’re sorry, everyone’s sorry. It’s the same problem that has plagued this sport pretty much since the NHA days. Yes, it’s back to the old headhunting issue. This time, everyone is sorry. Randy Jones is sorry for his hit that gave Patrice Bergeron a broken nose and a concussion. Steve Downie is sorry for almost ending Dean MacAmmond’s career in the preseason. Todd Bertuzzi is still sorry for ending Steve Moore’s career a few years back, and of course, Marty McSorley is sorry for nearly decapitating Donald Brashier in 2000.

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NHL General

NHL Power Rankings for Oct 24 2007

Week three marks the unveiling of the NHL power rankings here at Sportscolumn.com This week, we see the Sens take the top spot, while the Flyers and Wild hot on their heels. Where did your team finish?

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NHL General

Lost Love – An ode to the old NHL playoffs

The NHL returned, albeit quietly, from its locked out 2005 season. But its playoffs — exciting, powerful, addictive — remained lodged in oblivion.

The last two playoffs? Imposters. Unwanted guests that have paralyzed a once-great yearly occasion.

This season’s NHL playoffs scored record-low American television ratings, especially during the Stanley Cup Finals — supposedly the most exciting playoff round. NBC, in one instance, interrupted a game with the Preakness’ pre-race coverage. Game 3 of the Finals had NBC’s worst rating since a “The West Wing” rerun several years ago.

Sad, so sad.

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NHL General

NHL First Round Preview

Here we go, the NHL playoffs are upon us. For the first time in a long time, neither one of the Stanley Cup finalists from the previous season will be in there to defend their conference crowns. Also, for the first time in over a decade, that team from Denver will not grace the playoffs.

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NHL General

Fighting in the NHL: A Different Take

Over the past couple of months, fighting in the NHL has been lambasted by so-called “sports experts”. Most of this fodder is coming from people who have no interest in the sport. They have no interest, therefore, are ignorant to the history of the sport, and what role fighting plays in that vast history. True hockey fans know exactly why fighting is in the sport. It exists for many reasons. Maybe a skill player is getting too much physical play from a defenseman, or maybe that player has crossed the line with your skill player. Also, fighting can be the same as the two-out hit that sparks a rally.

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General Sports

All Star Game? What All Star Game?

In theory, the All Star game in any sport is designed to showcase the best of each league and at the same time, entertain the fans with the skills of each professional athlete. Really? If that is so, please let me know when that happens.

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NHL General

The Real State of the NHL

Gary Bettman has given his 2007 edition of the state of the National Hockey League. In it, were some very interesting statements, and like any other good Public Relations person, he tried to put the best face forward of the NHL. While he didn’t out rightly lie, he did mislead people just slightly.

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Boston Bruins

The 2007 Hangover of the Boston Bruins

by: Kyle Benson

There is question in Boston Bruins fans’ minds right now, “Have the Bruins recovered from their New Years hangovers?” They have lost their first 2 games since the New Year began, both against the Toronto Maples Leafs, and lost the second game against the Leafs 10-2. It seems like the only thing coach Dave Lewis has done right in the past 2 games was not letting the Bruins players talk to the press after the horrid 10-2 loss. In this article, I will break down what the Bruins have to do to make 2007 a successful year.