NBA Finals Game 1 Live Blog

Game 1: Mavericks @ Heat 9:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

2011 Stanley Cup Finals Schedule

Here is the schedule for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. I have very little rooting interest in this series, although if the previous rounds of these playoffs are any indication, this should still be one hell of a series to watch. (all times ET)

Stanley Cup Finals

#3 Boston Bruins vs. #1 Vancouver Canucks

Game 1: June 1: Bruins @ Canucks 8:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake and Elliotte Friedman)
Game 2: June 4: Bruins @ Canucks 8:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake and Elliotte Friedman)
Game 3: June 6: Canucks @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake and Elliotte Friedman)
Game 4: June 8: Canucks @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake and Elliotte Friedman)
Game 5: June 10: Bruins @ Canucks 8:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake and Elliotte Friedman)
Game 6: June 13: Canucks @ Bruins 8:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake and Elliotte Friedman)
Game 7: June 15: Bruins @ Canucks 8:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake and Elliotte Friedman)

2011 NBA Finals Schedule

Well the NBA Finals are here and for the first time that I can remember, they are starting before the Stanley Cup Finals. It's the Mavs and the Heat playing for the trophy. Personally, I am rooting for the rapture to happen and to take both of these teams and their fanbases with them, but I also rooted for the 76ers to beat Wade, LeBron,and Bosh. Fortunately, they did that. Unfortunately, they could not beat Joel Anthony, and thus the Heat won. So that goes to show how much my rooting impacts things. Anyways, here is your schedule with announcers. For once the NBA have not gone insane with their schedule. Live blog Tuesday night. Be there or be square. (all times ET)

NBA Finals

#3 Dallas Mavericks vs. #2 Miami Heat

Game 1: May 31: Mavericks @ Heat 9:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 2: June 2: Mavericks @ Heat 9:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 3: June 5: Heat @ Mavericks 8:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 4: June 7: Heat @ Mavericks 9:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 5: June 9: Heat @ Mavericks 9:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 6: June 12: Mavericks @ Heat 8:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 7: June 14: Heat @ Mavericks 9:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

May 27 Playoffs Live Blog

Well here we go. Game seven. Lightning. Bruins. Someone's going to Vancouver. Someone else is going home. For my thoughts heading into this game, click here.

Game 7: Lightning @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Scott Oake)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LIVE BLOG!

I'm Not Okay (I Promise)

(Originally published as a fanpost at Broad Street Hockey)

Saturday, May 22, 2004.

The Philadelphia Flyers were one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals. One win away from the Calgary Flames. One win away from the Stanley Cup itself.

As a sports fan, there are certain inevitable truths that however unfounded they may be, I hold near and dear to my heart. One of them is the Flyers would not lose that series against Calgary. There was just no way. That was the year. That was the team. I know it. I'll always know it. Even if I never got a chance to see it.

We all know what happened that day. There is no need to run through the events. The overly drawn out narrative of Dave Andreychuk. The cruel torturous hope provided by Kim Johnsson. We all know how it ended. And it's too depressing to think about.

Yet I can't help but dwell on it. So what if the Phillies, who I love just as much as the Flyers, won a World Series since then. So what if after the direct kick to the junk the Panthers gave the Eagles in January 2004, they would finally make the Super Bowl one year later? So what if the Flyers have gotten over the Eastern Conference Finals hurdle?

That feeling of lost opportunity from 2004. Primeau. Gagne. Roenick. Kapanen. LeClair. Recchi. Markov. Johnsson. Radivojevic.

I could go on. Those were the guys. That was the team. The over-achievements of the 2010 team, as fun as they were to watch and celebrate in, do not and cannot replace the emptiness of 2004. They can't take back the tears I cried. They can't replace the nights I spent thinking "what if.....what if......."

May 26 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 5: Heat @ Bulls 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

The Game Winning RBI Hours After Wilson Valdez Became A Winning Pitcher

As luck would have it, the game scheduled after a 19-inning marathon was a 1:00 day game. Also as luck would have it, hours after utility infielder Wilson Valdez picked up a win as a pitcher, Cliff Lee would pitch 8-innings...........and bat in the game-winning RBIs.

Phillies went on to win 10-4.

The first 16 hours of May 26, 2011 are 16 hours that the Phillies and Phillies fans won't forget any time soon.

Wilson Valdez Channels Babe Ruth, Danys Baez Has The Night Of His Career As Phillies Win 19-Inning Marathon

I hope you were able to stay up and watch the Phillies and the Reds play an instant classic that had Danys Baez do something he had not done in nine years and then some and Wilson Valdez do something that has not been done since Babe Ruth. Danys Baez pitched five scoreless innings. Seriously. Wilson Valdez became the first person to start the game in the field and pick up the win as a pitcher since Babe Ruth on October 1, 1921. The Phillies beat the Reds 5-4 in 19 innings. The game lasted 6 hours and 11 minutes. Wilson Valdez started the game at second base. He ended as pitcher. Carlos Ruiz started the game as catcher. He ended the game as 3rd baseman. Much less remarkably, Placido Polanco started the game at 3rd base and finished the game at 2nd.

I am sure there will be some trivia tomorrow, but for now, here are a bunch of videos. Warning: T-Mac and and Wheels are present in most of the following videos.

Jay Bruce makes it 4-3 Reds in the 10th

Ryan Howard makes it 4-4 in the 10th

Danys Baez pitches five innings of scoreless relief

Wilson Valdez pitches a scoreless inning of relief

Ibanez 19th inning walk-off sac fly. (T-Mac and Wheels)

Ibanez 19th inning walk-off sac fly (T-hom)

Valdez takes a pie in the face; Sarge takes the same pie on the mic.

Four Announce Teams Call Kevin Bieksa's Western Conference Finals Game-Winner

Last year, announcers had a difficult time knowing exactly what had happened when Patrick Kane scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. Last night, Kevin Bieska scored a similar goal to propel the Canucks to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 1994. Edler sent the puck off the stanchion, the puck then ricocheted back to Bieksa who shot it past Antti Niemi for the game-winner. The problem, once the puck went off the stanchion, no one knew where it had gone until it bounced out of the net. This set up for some interesting calls from the boys in the booths. I have been able to find two TV calls (Versus and CBC) and two radio calls (Sharks radio and Canucks radio) of the goal. Everyone fell flat on their face last year with Kane. Let's see how we fared this year, shall we!

First up, "The Voice" Dave Strader, Brian Engblom, and Darren Pang on Versus.



Oof. Not only was The Voice caught completely off guard, but all three seemed certain the puck had gone off the netting until they saw the definitive replay that said it hit the stanchion.

Next up, three people who were in Philadelphia for the Kane goal, Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, and Glenn Healy on CBC.



Oy ve. "Up in the air....Score!". Way to describe the action, Jim. Craig Simpson claimed he thought it went off the netting before Hughson went into his dramatic "Canucks are going to the Stanley Cup Finals call" 15 seconds after the puck crossed the line. Congrats guys, you are 0 for 2.

Here is a very surprised Dan Rusanowsky calling the goal for Sharks radio.

No YouTube video exists, so click here for the audio.

Not bad for a losing announcer, although he clearly lost it as well. Not a bad call though afterwards, and not once did he mention that it may have gone off the netting. He did not correctly identify stanchion, but he did identify off the glass, which is better than netting. Plus one for him.

And lastly, here is Canucks announcer John Shorthouse

No YouTube video exists, so click here for the audio.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! After all these attempts this year and last year, we finally got someone to give a good dramatic call that did not sound lost, confused, surprised, or mentioned things that did not actually happen.

So congrats, Canucks fans. I take it you will be replaying the call from John Shorthouse for many years to come.

May 25 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 6: Bruins @ Lightning 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 5: Thunder @ Mavericks 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

May 24 Playoffs Live Blog

Bulls @ Heat 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 5: Sharks @ Canucks 9:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

A Year Ago Today

What I remember most about this game (other than one of the greatest goals I've ever seen): Jumping up and down in my mother's arms with tears in my eyes after Jeff Carter notched home the game-clinching empty net goal.

365 days later, the Canucks, a team who has gone a longer time since their last Stanley Cup Finals appearance, have a chance to re-live the same experience.

Save Of The Playoffs? Save Of The Playoffs

Amazing

May 23 Playoffs Live Blog

After today, every Conference Final hockey game in 2011 will be an elimination game.

Game 5: Lightning @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 4: Mavericks @ Thunder 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

May 22 Playoffs Live Blog

I'll be at the 1:35 Phillies game this afternoon, so chances are if I am around at all for the hockey game, it won't be until the very fun. Even though I am gone, you should still enjoy the playoffs fun for the day! Game 4 of a feisty Sharks-Canucks series and we will finally be resuming Heat-Bulls. Enjoy the games!

Game 4: Canucks @ Sharks 3:00 (NBC - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 3: Bulls @ Heat 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

Carlos Ruiz Scores A Jaw-Dropping Game-Winning Goal

I'll be the first to admit that Carlos Ruiz has been a bit of a disappointment for the Union over the first third of the season. I will also admit that the goal he scored tonight against the Chicago Fire might be one of the Goals Of The Year in MLS. Check out this majestic strike from Ruiz. A little fact to keep in mind as you watch this: Carlos Ruiz is not a lefty.



It took a moment of magic, but the Union finally got more than 1 goal in a game as they held on to defeat the Chicago Fire 2-1 tonight at PPL Park. Has your jaw left the floor yet?

May 21 Playoffs Live Blog

The Bruins will look to take a 3-1 series lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning while the Mavs and Thunder do battle in OKC for the first time with the series tied at 1. Join us for fun!

Game 4: Bruins @ Lightning 1:30 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 3: Mavericks @ Thunder 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

May 20 Playoffs Live Blog

Thanks to the goofy scheduling of the NBA, it's just hockey tonight, so kick back, relax, and enjoy Game 3 of the NHL's Western Conference Finals between the Canucks and the Sharks.

Game 3: Canucks @ Sharks 9:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

May 19 Playoffs Live Blog

The Lightning look to bounce back from Tyler Seguin's big game, meanwhile the Thunder are looking to bounce back after Dirk's and Joey Crawford's big game.

Game 3: Bruins @ Lightning 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 2: Thunder @ Mavericks 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

A Night Of Nakedness

Tonight's sports games really stripped their games down to the raw, naked core. No, really, that is what happened.

First there was a streaker at the Cubs-Marlins game...

I'd add try to find and link to unedited photo/video screencap revealing everything for you colossal perverts out there, but given that tan line, that is something I don't think the horniest of people want to see.

"Amusing things amuse little minds." - Chris Pronger talking about Ben Eager's reaction to Chris Pronger taking the puck after the Blackhawks won Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.  While that was a throwaway line not meant to be used 11 and a half months later, it did hold true for what happened just a few hours after the Marlins streaker took to Sun Life Stadium like a bulb of gas.  The pea-brained Eager decided it would be a good idea to take 6 total penalties, 4 of which he sat in the penalty box for.  Outside of the fact that remembering one sentence, let alone a whole rulebook, is hard for Eager, I think I may have found another alternative explanation as to why Ben Eager took the penalties that he did.  Just look at what was waiting for him in the penalty box.

If ever there was a logical explanation for pure stupidity, this is it right here.

Click here to see the unedited/uncensored version of the photo, as seen on CBC.

May 18 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 2: Heat @ Bulls 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 2: Sharks @ Canucks 9:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

May 17 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 2: Lightning @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Gord Miller and Pierre McGuire, SR: Ryan Rishaug)

Game 1: Thunder @ Mavericks 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

2011 NBA Playoffs Conference Finals Schedule

The NBA really does come up with some infuriating schedules at times, don't they?

Eastern Conference Final

#2 Miami Heat vs. #1 Chicago Bulls

Game 1: May 15: Heat @ Bulls 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 2: May 18: Heat @ Bulls 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 3: May 22: Bulls @ Heat 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 4: May 24: Bulls @ Heat 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 5: May 26: Heat @ Bulls 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 6: May 28: Bulls @ Heat 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 7: May 30: Heat @ Bulls 8:30 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

Western Conference Final

#4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #3 Dallas Mavericks

Game 1: May 17: Thunder @ Mavericks 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 2: May 19: Thunder @ Mavericks 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 3: May 21: Mavericks @ Thunder 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 4: May 23: Mavericks @ Thunder 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 5: May 25: Thunder @ Mavericks 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 6: May 27: Mavericks @ Thunder 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 7: May 29: Thunder @ Mavericks 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

May 15 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 7: Grizzlies @ Thunder 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

Game 1: Sharks @ Canucks 8:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 1: Heat @ Bulls 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

May 14 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 1: Lightning @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole, Garry Galley, and Mike Milbury, SR: Scott Oake)

May 13 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 6: Thunder @ Grizzlies 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals Schedule

After one of the best first rounds in Stanley Cup Playoffs history, three of the 4 conference semifinal series histories were complete duds. The fourth was one of the best seven game hockey series ever played. Go figure. This year has been proof positive why I think the Stanley Cup Playoffs are the best playoffs in sports. Now onto the schedule for the Conference Final round which surely must have the NHL hoping ends in a Stanley Cup Finals berth for the Boston Bruins. If not, their run of 3 straight Stanley Cup Finals with big hockey markets that people watch may come tumbling down. No more local broadcasts. In the U.S., all Stanley Cup Playoff games from here on out will be exclusively on Versus and NBC. Which means regardless of whether or not you live in your team's market or not, the announcers listed here are the announcers you will hear in the next round. (all times ET)

Eastern Conference Finals

#5 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #3 Boston Bruins

Game 1: May 14: Lightning @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole, Garry Galley, and Mike Milbury, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 2: May 17: Lightning @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)
Game 3: May 19: Bruins @ Lightning 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)
Game 4: May 21: Bruins @ Lightning 1:30 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)
Game 5: May 23: Lightning @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole, Garry Galley, and Mike Milbury, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 6: May 25: Bruins @ Lightning 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole, Garry Galley, and Mike Milbury, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 7: May 27: Lightning @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole, Garry Galley, and Mike Milbury, SR: Scott Oake)

Western Conference Finals

#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #1 Vancouver Canucks

Game 1: May 15: Sharks @ Canucks 8:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 2: May 18: Sharks @ Canucks 9:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 3: May 20: Canucks @ Sharks 9:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 4: May 22: Canucks @ Sharks 3:00 (NBC - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 5: May 24: Sharks @ Canucks 9:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 6: May 26: Canucks @ Sharks 9:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 7: May 28: Sharks @ Canucks 8:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Englbom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

John Gonzalez And John Smallwood Fail At Writing About Soccer

(Originally posted at The Brotherly Game. Please go over there to comment.)

After last night's 1-1 draw, one would think that the columns in today's newspapers would be focused on the positives Philadelphia Union.  They battled an injury to their goalkeeper to manage to get their first point ever against the Los Angeles Galaxy, a team that features the most recognizable face in U.S. Soccer today, Landon Donovan.  However, unfortunately aside from a pair of game stories and a good column from Bob Ford, the mainstream Philadelphia sports media spent the rest of their morning completely trashing soccer with little factual basis.  Here is the first part of the most offensive of the column of the day, from John Gonzalez (a.k.a. Gonzo)

David Beckham didn't make the trip to Philadelphia. Five or six area soccer fans are still upset about that. The rest of you are almost certainly asking yourselves the same question right now: David Beckham was supposed to be in town?

Indeed. The L.A. Galaxy played the Union/Bimbos on Wednesday, but Beckham wasn't at PPL Park. No specific injury was cited as a reason for his absence. It's possible Beckham won't ever play professional soccer in Philly again. He's in the final season of a five-year contract. There's been speculation that he wants one last gig in Europe before he retires and becomes his wife's full-time Ken doll accessory. Those same five or six area soccer fans are probably angry that they missed what was possibly their last chance to see Beckham in person. And everyone else shrugs.

Sadly, he's slipped. His fellow Brits - who have always been fascinated by him and gave rise to his fame with their endless fanboy slobber - don't drool and obsess over Beckham quite as much now. The British tabloids have moved on to Pippa and other current curiosities. He's not even in the top 5 Davids on Google at the moment, trailing such other Davids in Internet search fame as David Yurman, David Foster, David Bowie (he's still alive), David Goetta, and David Letterman. Like Michelangelo's David, Posh Spice's David gets no online love these days.

Beckham's primary talent - ahead of his incredible ability to launch curved crosses into the box with pinpoint precision - was always getting attention. Now that's in question. His fleeting hold on the casual sports fan has long since relaxed, while his grip on the devoted soccer/football/futbol/foot-to-ball fan isn't nearly as tight anymore.

May 12 Playoffs Live Blog

(Posted retroactively because Blogger was down all night. Literally.)

Game 6: Bulls @ Hawks 8:00 (ESPN - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Lisa Salters)

Game 7: Red Wings @ Sharks 9:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert and Ray Ferraro)

May 10 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 6: Sharks @ Red Wings 8:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (TSN)

Game 5: Hawks @ Bulls 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: David Aldridge)

May 9 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 4: Heat @ Celtics 7:00 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 6: Canucks @ Predators TBD (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 4: Thunder @ Grizzlies 9:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Marty Snider)

May 8 Playoffs Live Blog

After a craptastic performance that the Flyers would approve of, Chelsea have found themselves in an insurmountable hole in the English Premier League. Congrats though to Manchester United, they have been the best squad all year and deserve this title. The fact that Chelsea even made a race of it should speak volumes as to how far they come after trailing Man U by 18 points in the standings. They were playing with house money, and could not even muster a pair. Whatever. Moving on to laughing at the Lakers and/or Mavericks should they decide that now is the time for their most epic choke job either.

Game 4: Lakers @ Mavericks 3:30 (ABC - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)

Game 5: Red Wings @ Sharks 8:00 (Versus - John Forslund and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Brian Engblom) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

Game 4: Bulls @ Hawks 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: David Aldridge)

May 7 Playoffs Live Blog

So now that both Philadelphia teams are down, I am left hoping that one of either the Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Memphis Grizzlies win a championship. Just to make me feel somewhat better. As much as I love Simon Gagne and want him to be happy, him winning a Stanley Cup will open up a Philadelphia can of worms that I really do not want to deal with. As far as the NBA go, there are 4 teams I do not like left in the East, and 2 I do not like in the West. Suffice to say, the Thunder and the Grizzlies are the two that I actually like. Normally I'd add Vancouver to the list of hockey teams I would not mind see winning, but honestly, Mike Gillis has been a real turn off for me this year. A collapse against the Preds might be just what the doctor ordered for me.

Justin's bold prediction for the rest of the Conference Semifinals: The Detroit Red Wings will force Game 7.

Now onto the schedule and live blog.

Game 3: Thunder @ Grizzlies 5:00 (ESPN - Dave Pasch and Doris Burke, SR: Ric Bucher)

Game 5: Predators @ Canucks 8:00 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 3: Heat @ Celtics 8:00 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)

The Philadelphia Flyers: Cathartic Ramblings Written After Game 3 That I Never Added On To

(After the Flyers lost Game 3, I decided I would write a season retrospective on the Flyers, conceding that the chances the Flyers had of coming back were likely minimal at best. I had a part of it written with the attempt to add more to it, but once everything ended, even though nothing changed, I could not think of anything else to write. So here is a half-completed 2010-2011 Flyers retrospective that I wrote for catharsis after Game 3. Enjoy it, if such things are to be enjoyed.)

Fatigue

Fatigue. Mental fatigue. Physical fatigue.

Exhaustion. Mental exhaustion. Physical fatigue.

It is the most reasonable explanation there is. After dominating the Buffalo Sabres in a 7-game series that saw the Sabres get a lot of luck, the Flyers got thoroughly manhandled by the Boston Bruins, who thoroughly manhandled the Flyers in 3 out of 4 games. Of course, the only game the Bruins did not dominate, Tim Thomas transformed himself into a brick wall that stopped everything in sight.

But let's go back and see what the Flyers have been through.

May 2010: Flyers comeback from 0-3 down to eliminate the Bruins.
June 2010: Flyers play a 6-game Stanley Cup Finals.
October 2010: Regular season starts after an abbreviated off-season for a team that had not been in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1997.
Late Winter 2011: Flyers hit a slump that almost costs them their division lead.
April 2011: Flyers need Game 82 to clinch the Atlantic Division. No regular season game could be used for rest.
Late April 2011: The Flyers play a 7-game series with the Buffalo Sabres that saw multiple comeback attempts, thanks in large part to some boneheaded decision making by Peter Laviolette.
May 2011: Flyers bow out to Boston in a sweep
May 2010-May 2011: Peter Laviolette works his team tirelessly in practice, perhaps more so than most coaches.

And when it is the playoffs and everyone plays in spite of the minor injuries, it is a recipe for disaster. And disaster is certainly one way to describe that series against the Bruins. When a team is physically and mentally drained like the Flyers were, and you are facing a good team with a good goalie, you could see the disaster coming a mile away. I did, I had hopelessly hoped that my feelings were deceiving me, but I had seen this loss coming. And sure enough, it did. The Bruins are hungry. The Flyers had no room left to store their food. It is not that they quit, or lacked Heart, or did not "want it," they simply had nothing left to give.

If Wishes Were Fishes, The World Would Be An Ocean

"If the Flyers would have gotten a franchise goalie, they would have won the Stanley Cup!"

This is a statement that you will likely see a lot of in the upcoming days.  Whether it be from frustrated fans or members of the mainstream media looking to expand upon their narrative.  But it is also something that you, no matter how certain of it you are in your mind, you cannot say in an intelligent discussion and still be taken seriously.

The above statement is what is known as a counter-factual argument.  "If the Capitals had fired Bruce Boudreau last season, they would have eliminated the Lightning."  "If the Flyers would have traded their 2011 1st round draft pick for Vokoun instead of Versteeg, they would still be playing hockey now."  "If Peter Laviolette played match-ups better, the Flyers would have won this series easily."

The answer to all of those is simple:  But they didn't.  If the Flyers got a franchise goalie...but they didn't.  If the Capitals fired Boudreau last year....but they didn't.  If the Flyers got Vokoun instead of Versteeg....but they didn't.  If Laviolette played match-ups better....but he didn't.

You can say the Flyers do not have elite goaltenders, but the problem comes not when you make that statement, but when you make the jump from that statement to saying that elite goaltending would have put them over the top this year.  It is something you do not know, it is something you cannot go back and fix to see if you are right, and therefore, it is an argument that holds no ground.  Is it a possibility that if the Flyers traded for Vokoun instead of Versteeg that they make the Stanley Cup?  Yes it is.  Is it a possibility that if the Flyers traded for Vokoun instead of Versteeg, they would have had a different playoff match-up, for better or worse?  Yes it is.  These are all possibilities, they are not givens.  It is possible that without Kris Versteeg, the Flyers do not beat Buffalo.  It is possible that with Vokoun they would have win the Stanley Cup.  It is possible they would have gotten Vokoun, he gets injured, and the Flyers are without a 2011 draft pick, an elite goaltender, and Kris Versteeg.  But just because something is possible, does not mean it would happen under a given set of conditions when that given set of conditions never materialized.

May 6 Playoffs Live Blog

It's due or die time for the Flyers. Just don't get swept, okay guys?

Game 4: Sharks @ Red Wings 7:00 (Versus - John Forslund and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

Game 3: Bulls @ Hawks 7:00 (ESPN - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)

Game 4: Flyers @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - JIP) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 3: Lakers @ Mavericks 9:30 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)

May 5 Playoffs Open Thread

There is only one playoff game tonight and I am going to the Phillies game (I've had these tickets months in advance, but really, for so many reasons, I could not have picked a better night for my first trip to Citizens Bank Park this season). I have an open thread here, though of course, if someone else sets up a live blog, then they are obviously more than welcome to do so.

Game 4: Canucks @ Predators 8:30 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)

The 2010-2011 Philadelphia Flyers: A Team With No Heart

(Originally posted as a fanpost at Broad Street Hockey)

I, your loyal and humble presenter, Justin F., present to you The 2010-2011 Philadelphia Flyers: A Team With No Heart

May 4 Playoffs Live Blog

This won't be easy to watch, now will it. Carter in, Pronger out. LET'S GO FLY-ERS!

Game 4: Capitals @ Lightning 7:00 (NHL Network) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 3: Flyers @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR Elliotte Friedman)

Game 3: Sharks @ Red Wings 8:00 (Versus - JIP) (TSN2 - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

Game 2: Hawks @ Bulls 8:00 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: David Aldridge)

Game 2: Mavericks @ Lakers 10:30 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Cheryl Miller)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIVE BLOG!

May 3 Playoffs Live Blog

The Capitals find themselves in a similar position as the Flyers, having lost the first two games of the series at home. Will they be able to rebound Game 3 at Tampa?

Game 3: Capitals @ Lightning 6:30 (Versus - Dave Strader and Brian Engblom, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 2: Celtics @ Heat 7:00 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 3: Canucks @ Predators 9:00 (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 2: Grizzlies @ Thunder 9:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)

Philadelphia Patriotism FTW

It really is hard to watch these videos and not get goosebumps and/or teary-eyed.

May 2 Playoffs Live Blog

If you are watching Versus at 7:30 tonight, may I suggest having a few tissues near by?

Game 2: Bruins @ Flyers 7:30 (Versus - Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 1: Hawks @ Bulls 8:00 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: David Aldridge)

Game 1: Mavericks @ Lakers 10:30 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Cheryl Miller)

May 1 Playoffs Live Blog

After yesterday's Flyers debacle, hopefully I can find a way to enjoy these games.

Game 1: Grizzlies @ Thunder 1:00 (ABC - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Lisa Salters)

Game 2: Red Wings @ Sharks 3:00 (NBC - Dave Strader and Joe Micheletti, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert and Ray Ferraro)

Game 1: Celtics @ Heat 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

Game 2: Lightning @ Capitals 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Elliotte Freidman)

2011 NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinal Schedule

Well the 76ers are gone, but the playoffs will continue and so will the schedules. Thank goodness these are no where near as extended as the conference quarterfinals. That never ceases to annoy me.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

#5 Atlanta Hawks vs. #1 Chicago Bulls

Game 1: May 2: Hawks @ Bulls 8:00 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: David Aldridge)
Game 2: May 4: Hawks @ Bulls 8:00 (TNT)
Game 3: May 6: Bulls @ Hawks 7:00 (ESPN)
Game 4: May 8: Bulls @ Hawks 8:00 (TNT)
Game 5: May 10: Hawks @ Bulls TBD (TNT)
Game 6: May 12: Bulls @ Hawks TBD (ESPN)
Game 7: May 15: Hawks @ Bulls TBD (TNT)

#3 Boston Celtics vs. #2 Miami Heat

Game 1: May 1: Celtics @ Heat 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)
Game 2: May 3: Celtics @ Heat 7:00 (TNT)
Game 3: May 7: Heat @ Celtics 8:00 (ABC)
Game 4: May 9: Heat @ Celtics 7:00 (TNT)
Game 5: May 11: Celtics @ Heat TBD (TNT)
Game 6: May 13: Heat @ Celtics TBD (ESPN)
Game 7: May 16: Celtics @ Heat 8:00 (TNT)

Western Conference Semifinals

#8 Memphis Grizzlies vs. #5 Oklahoma City Thunder

Game 1: May 1: Grizzlies @ Thunder 1:00 (ABC - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Lisa Salters)
Game 2: May 3: Grizzlies @ Thunder 9:30 (TNT)
Game 3: May 7: Thunder @ Grizzlies 5:00 (ESPN)
Game 4: May 9: Thunder @ Grizzlies 9:30 (TNT)
Game 5: May 11: Grizzlies @ Thunder TBD (TNT)
Game 6: May 13: Thunder @ Grizzlies TBD (ESPN)
Game 7: May 15: Grizzlies @ Thunder TBD

#3 Dallas Mavericks vs. #2 Los Angeles Lakers

Game 1: May 2: Mavericks @ Lakers 10:30 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Cheryl Miller)
Game 2: May 4: Mavericks @ Lakers 10:30 (TNT)
Game 3: May 6: Lakers @ Mavericks 9:30 (ESPN)
Game 4: May 8: Lakers @ Mavericks 3:30 (ABC)
Game 5: May 10: Mavericks @ Lakers TBD (TNT)
Game 6: May 12: Lakers @ Mavericks TBD (ESPN)
Game 7: May 15: Mavericks @ Lakers TBD (ABC)