Chicago Sports Review

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Friday April 25, 2008

Friday April 25, 2008

Bulls not only team to have high hopes dashed by

David Lister

Wow, that was painful.

The only solace Bulls fans can take from a miserable 2007-08 season is that it wasn’t just Chicago that was optimistic about the team coming into this season. After three straight playoff appearances and an 06-07 season that featured 49 wins and a firstround playoff sweep of the Miami Heat, even the World Wide Leader was buying what the Bulls were selling.

Now that the season is over and the Bulls record stands at 33-49, ninth worst record in the NBA, I think it’s safe to say ESPN was wrong. We were all wrong.

But it would also be wrong for me to review the Bulls season with the benefit of knowing how it turned out. Instead, let’s look back at what we at the Chicago Sports Review were saying about this Bulls’ season as it happened.

Nov. 12 - The Bulls (once again) started the season miserably at 1-5. An ugly 101-71 loss to the Toronto Raptors was enough for Charlie Danoff to call for a change in the starting lineup, making a plea for Skiles to get larger and more defensive with a starting lineup of Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray. As for the poor start, we’re not worried: Overall, it is not time to worry yet. Skiles Bulls teams have started slow before and made the playoffs. In 2004-05 they got off to a roaring 0-9, while last year they started 3-9. I know changing the starting lineup might just be putting a band-aid over a bullet hole for some teams, but I really think it could make a difference for the Bulls. They are just at too much of a

disadvantage defensively with their current unit.

Finally, the biggest key for this year’s team is Luol Deng evolving into the superstar that so many people think he will become. He needs to stop being such a team-first guy and passing off shots to Duhon and Sefolosha. Deng should be demanding the ball and taking control.

If he does, the Bulls could win the East.

If he does not, it may be a struggle to make the playoffs.

Nov. 20 - A little more than a week later, the Bulls are no better.

Their record now stands at 2-7 (and soon to be 2-8 after a loss in Denver tonight) and Luol Deng is struggling with an Achilles injury. A change has been made in the starting lineup, as Andres Nocioni has replace Tyrus Thomas at small forward. Optimism is still abundants here at CSR: Given all this doom and gloom, is all hope lost for the Bulls? No, not quite yet. Even if I let my heart blind me to the real team when I thought they could win the East, they are not THIS bad.

The Bulls are still a playoff team. What they need to do is play the way they did in the first

quarter against the Clippers. They got defensive stops, then beat the Clippers down the floor for fast breaks. Running and gunning is the only way this team will get easy baskets, and that is really important for a team that starts Ben Wallace at center.

Nov. 27 - The Bulls are now 210, and even a 9078 victory against the Atlanta Hawks this night won’t do much for the mood of Bulls fans. In case you missed the big stories of the off-season, Kevin Garnett was traded to the Celtics and Kobe Bryant asked to be traded from the Lakers before changing his mind. In his column this week, Charlie Danoff questions how good a job John Paxson has really done in building this Bulls team: So, after giving up on Curry and Chandler, and not exercising their opportunities with Garnett and Bryant, where does this leave the Bulls today?

Well, currently they sit at 2-10. For a Scott Skiles-coached team this is not a huge cause for alarm, as they always start slow. Don’t worry fans, coach Skiles will figure out this mess and

Bulls Season In Review: Part 1

have his Bulls team losing in the early rounds of the playoffs once again.

Dec. 5 - Ahhh, what’s better than December in Chicago? Well, just about anything, especially when the Bears are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs and the Bulls are just now realizing their season started. It’s not all bad, though, (*SPOILER ALERT*) as the team is about to have their most productive month - an 8-8 December. Despite the team showing promise, point guard Kirk Hinrich is having the worst year of his career, averaging 10.7 ppg, 5.4 apg and shooting 35% from the field. You know what, Captain Kirk will not only never be a star, he may not even be starter material: At the end of the day, Kirk is who he is: a short two-guard who plays good defense and can make some jump shots. Despite the fact that Chauncey Billups eventually learned how to run a team all the way to the NBA Championship late in his career, I do not see the same outcome in Hinrich’s future. He is too overpaid, too satisfied with his own lack of progress, or maybe just too stupid to change. How can a team possibly have success starting Hinrich at the point when they are 6 points better per 100 possessions with him on the bench?

Hinrich eventually found his shooting stroke and finished the year at 41% from the field, his career shooting percentage.

Unfortunately the Bulls still owe him $36.5 through 2012, and Hinrich is coming off career lows in points per game (11.5) and assists per game (6.0).

That’s it for part one of the Bulls season in review, be sure to come back for our next installment. It’s about to get good (and by good, I mean really, really bad).

Joakim Noah and young Bulls show spurts of potential by

David Lister

Dec. 8 - After a big 98-91 win over the Pistons - the Bulls second defeat of Detroit this season - Chicago has won four of five games. Joakim Noah plays well, scoring 11 points in just 16 minutes, prompting Charlie Danoff to write a column on the Bulls rookie center: Along with developing his aesthetic tastes, Noah played some ball, and continued upon returning to NYC, as a 5-11 point guard, he played at Poly Prep in Brooklyn for his first three years of high school, growing to 6-2 as a sophomore, 6-5 as a junior, and 6-10 as a senior.

Yes, you read that correctly - the Bulls seven-foot rookie center was a point guard heading into high school.

As the draft express profile points out, this likely means that Noah has not really begun to tap into his potential. Consider that he’s only been playing center for 4 or 5 years; normal big men in the NBA - think Samuel Dalembert, Tyson Chandler, etc.

- usually take at least 3-4 years in the NBA to become an effective center, after playing it their whole lives.

But there are a couple of big differences between Noah and those other two players. For one, he is not as athletically gifted as either.

Secondly, he played point guard in high school, and neither Dalembert nor Chandler seem to be even remotely capable of dribbling a basketball down the floor in an empty gym.

At this time Noah wasn’t getting much playing time under Scott Skiles. He would, after a certain coaching change and a certain

trade we haven’t yet got to, become the Bulls starting center. In nine April games, Noah averaged 31.4 minutes, 10.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

Dec. 12 - The Bulls lost at home to the Boston 92-81 and beat up a young Seattle team 123-96. This one-win, one-loss pattern would be repeated many times over the remainder of the season. In fact, the Bulls would only win two games in a row five times during the 2007-08 season, and they did not have a winning streak of three games or more the entire season.

Anyway, on to the next story. This time, Charlie does his best Sam Smith impersonation and plays NBA GM for a day. His first trade sends Chris Duhon, Aaron Gray and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for 23year-old center Zaza Pachulia: Adding Pachulia to the rotation addresses the biggest flaw of the current roster: inside scoring.

Pachulia is not the most well-rounded player, but he does score. He has averaged 12 PPG over the past two years, and made over 52% of his shots in the immediate basket area last season.

As most fans and media members have already said, if the Bulls had inside scoring it would dramatically alter the team’s current offense. An inside threat would open things up for Hinrich, Gordon and Deng on the outside.

Futhermore, having defenders forced to guard Zaza, as opposed to freelancing off the current big men, would open up driving lanes for the aforementioned three to get to the hoop.

Trade number two was a bigger deal, with the Kings sending Mike Bibby to the Bulls

Bulls Season In Review: Part 2

PIER CO

WO

RL D

(773) C-O-P-I-E-R-S

for Ben Gordon, Joe Smith, Victor Khryapa and a lottery protected first-round pick: It is a good thing the Bulls are in the East.

Sitting at 7-12, they are very much still alive

in the playoff hunt, while the Kings, at 8-12 in the West, are basically in rebuilding mode.

Given that, this trade works quite well for them

Please see LISTER on page 7

Publisher, lead photographer & Editor in Chief Warren Wimmer Contributing Writers Andrea Beaver Dustin Beutin Bert Beiswanger Jesse Brasher Jerome Cusson Charlie Danoff Creighton Hart Dennis Hobein Eli Kaberon Jon Kerr David Lister Brian Livingston Phil Meyers Brad Nathan Nick Shears D.K Wilson

Contributing Photographers Dennis Wierzbicki Michael DiNovo PUBLISHED BY: The Chicago Sports Review The Chicago Sports Review is published biweekly and can be found at Chicagoland White Hens & 7-Elevens The Chicago Sports Review is not responsible for display advertisement, advertising articles and their contents.

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For questions or comments contact: THE CHICAGO SPORTS REVIEW 13520 St. Mary Circle, Orland Park, IL 60462 708.403.3285 office | 708.774.4464 cell | 708.460.8949 fax To read more great sports articles visit chicagosportsreview.net

Page 3

Bears can’t afford mistakes in this draft Offensive linemen a top need by

Dennis Hobein

I

n recent history, the Bears have had the luxury of using the draft to simply add depth to their roster. For example, last year the Bears took DE Dan Bazuin from Central Michigan in Round #2 (62nd overall), even though the Bears were strong at this position with Alex Brown, Adewale Ogunleye, and Mark Anderson already in the mix as proven players. With several glaring holes to fill this year, the 2008 NFL Draft on April 26-27 is crucial for the Bears, who must also find players who can step in immediately and make an impact. Fortunately for the Bears, they have 11 picks, including two 3rd Round picks and four 7th Round picks, which increases their odds of finding legitimate starters on the offensive line, their most pressing need. Also keep in mind that General Manager Jerry Angelo has a history of making trades to pick up additional draft picks, so it is not a given that the Bears will be on the clock for the 14th overall pick.

Many projections have the Bears either taking OT Chris Williams from Vanderbilt or OT Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh in the first round. Williams, at 6-foot-6 and 320 lbs, played the demanding left tackle position, and according to NFL.com, allowed only two sacks over a span of 1,558 snaps and registered 21 touchdown resulting blocks.

He’s known as a hard worker, who is wellliked by his teammates with strong leadership skills. His downside appears to be his agility, with some concern that he comes off the snap a bit too slow and his pull-blocking is only known as “adequate.” Otah, who may be the Bear’s first pick if Williams is off the board, may be a more powerful blocker than Williams, given his size (6’6”, 340 lbs). Not surprisingly, his weakness is his quickness, which raised red flags at the combine with a 5.5 in the 40 yard dash. NFL scouts are projecting him as a right tackle in the NFL, which might not fit into the Bears plans of shifting John Tait back to the right side.

Either offensive linemen should be a solid pick for the Bears. When the Bears cut ties with Fred Miller and Ruben Brown, and passed on signing high-priced tackle Alan Faneca, they sent a clear message that the offensive line would be rebuilt through the draft. Typically, the adjustment period for linemen entering the NFL is at least two years. However, this year’s draft is deep in talent for offensive linemen, and the Bears seem confident that at least one of their vacancies on the line can be filled by a rookie .

It wouldn’t be overly surprising if the Bears used two of their first three picks on linemen.

The Bears have more concerns on offense to address, however. When they refused to give Bernard Berrian the “franchise tag”, the up-and-coming wide receiver signed a very lucrative contract with division rival Minnesota. Whether the receiver is worth the 6year, $42 million contract is surely debatable.

What is not debatable, however, is that the

Pitt’s Jeff Otah is one of many draft prospects that shore up the Chicago Bears ailing offensive line.

Bears are now clearly deficient at wide receiver, as they also decided not to re-sign aging Muhsin Muhammad. This leaves Mark Bradley (#5 on the depth chart last year), Marty Booker (a slightly faster Moose?) and Devin Hester (still unpolished in the role) as the Bears top threats in the passing game.

Look for the Bears to use one of their 3rd round picks here, with possibilities including Eddie Royal from Virginia Tech, Earl Bennett from Vanderbilt, or Jerome Simpson from Coastal Carolina.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears may look to improve their secondary, especially at safety. Mike Brown is certainly a fan-favorite, and is an emotional leader on the field, but the Bears would be foolish to expect him to stay healthy for a full season. It is also unclear what Lovie Smith’s plans are for Adam Archuleta, but he was frequently exposed in coverage and in run support last season.

Although the Bears won’t admit it, the 2008 season is looking like a rebuilding year.

A solid draft can certainly speed up the process. But, with many glaring holes, it doesn’t seem realistic to assume the Bears will turn themselves into Super Bowl contenders after they make their last draft pick on Sunday.

After several controversial front-office decisions, the Bears need a strong draft to end a turbulent off-season on a positive note.

Photo

by

Jim Owens/ICON SMI

Virginia Tech’s Eddie Royal could provide the Chicago Bears with a much need receiver.

Gary Rothstein/Icon SMI

A wicked winter home stand leads could lead to paranoia in Chicagoland by

Dustin Beutin

“It’s not paranoia if everyone is really out to get you.”

– Woody Allen

S

omeone at the league office owes the Bears a fruit basket. Something nice, with a couple of those “Cutie” tangerines that are so much better than the bruised naval oranges you often receive. Heck, even a

leftover Hillshire Farms sausage and cheese sampler pack from the holiday season would be a gesture of reconciliation: as long as it contained the little jar of hot mustard. Flowers would be nice, but in football, gestures of the floral nature are a bit out of place.

Except at a funeral.

Which is what the Bears’ season might just be as of today with the release of the 2008 NFL schedules. Don’t call it a conspiracy theory to look at the slate the league

handed the Bears and cry “foul!” The Bears open with two straight road games, a brutal November world tour of three sequential road games and the final game of the season being played on the road as well. What does that mean in a league where the home team wins well over 55% of the time and a season can turn in the course of two games?

If you’re a Bear fan, it means you might as well forget about making reservations in advance for Super Bowl hotel rooms.

To call the Bears 2008 schedule unfair would be too kind, the kind of language best used in a kindergarten classroom. The only words that would appropriately convey the extent to which the Bears have been “poochpunted” in the groin would be to spend some time in Joliet – as in prison.

The Bears won’t play at home until late September, which if history is a guide means Chicago fans will have to suffer from about

Please see BEUTIN on page 5

Page 4

Friday April 25, 2008

Friday April 25, 2008

Page 5

Steve McNair: A warrior with a capital ‘W’ goes out to a ‘Standing O’ by

D.K. Wilson

S

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Ryan Freel puts a tag on a base stealing Ryan Theriot during play at Wrigley Field in Chicago Thursday April 17, 2008.

teve McNair’s teammates gave him a “Standing O.” That’s with a capital “S” and a capital “O” because, in professional football, when your teammates take the time to stand and applaud you, there is no better accolade; not all the MVP’s, not the All-Pro selections, not even the Pro bowl selections.

A Standing O from the men who know you best means that they would do anything for you —- anything. It means that your retiring means something irreplaceable will be forever missing from the Baltimore Ravens locker room.

Forever.

The team will get over Brian Billick not being there. It already has. It will get over any other player or coach in that locker room, other than Ray Lewis - perhaps.

Perhaps because Lewis is as loud as McNair was quiet. Lewis is as demonstrative as McNair was unobtrusive. Lewis will tell you if another player is not performing to standards. McNair would blame himself for the entire team’s problems before the thought of blaming someone else would cross his mind.

Ray Lewis shut it down as the season waned when he was nicked up. Lewis laughed and joked on the sidelines while his team lost.

Steve McNair’s wife is a nurse and she couldn’t shut him down. McNair refused to shut it down, unless he couldn’t move and was on crutches. If he was nicked, he played, if the team was 3-12 and done or 12-3 with a playoff spot sewn up.

For 13 years this man stood in the pocket and got his butt kicked just to wait that extra millisecond for his receiver to come out of his final break. For 13 years this man took off running and when it came time to slide, 90% of the time he hit somebody; like a running back, not a quarterback. And when it came time to get up, most times it was the defender who was woozy.

He led a run-first team without a number one receiver to within one yard of a Super Bowl win against a team so talented they were putting up video game numbers. The quarterback was throwing for 4,000 yards in 12 games. It seemed like every receiver on

the team caught 90 balls. The running back was a Hall-of-Famer and still had plenty of years left on his wheels; a team so good they were called, the “Greatest Show on Turf.”

And the only player who put the fear of god in that great team’s heart was Steve McNair. If only his receiver had realized a linebacker was on him, he would have run that pattern two yards deeper and we’d be talking about the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. But he didn’t. However, you’d never know it from listening to Steve McNair. He never said one bad word about Kevin Dyson; though I’m sure it killed him inside to watch Dyson choke off his pass route because of the tension caused by that being the game’s final play.

Instead, Steve McNair said he could have done more so that the game didn’t come down to that moment; that he could have played better in the first half so his team was not forced to play catch up from the edge of getting blown out.

Remember the play where McNair was sacked but because of his pure “want to” he somehow got away and turned a minus 15yard play into a game-changer - just to get his team in position for Dyson to choke off that final pass route?

Remember?

Steve McNair played for the Tennessee Oilers and didn’t complain. He watched Eddie George get so scared to run against the Titans’ nemesis, the Baltimore Ravens that he nearly pissed himself - but he didn’t complain.

Hell, Steve McNair didn’t complain when his own team, the Titans, locked him out of their training facilities! All he did was to say he was confused and couldn’t understand; that all he wanted to do is to rehab from yet another injury incurred because he never had great protection or a number one receiver other than his tight end and by that time didn’t even have a reliable rushing attack.

Some people, like me wanted McNair to speak out on the Titans management. I wanted McNair to tell the truth about the situation, hold his head up, and move on.

But McNair did it his way - the way of the Quiet Warrior. He remained quiet, but he stood firm. The Titans were so shamed

by McNair’s ability to rise above the fray and their own seamy behavior, they traded

Wade Payne/Icon SMI

Steve McNair avoids being tackled by Bo Schobel during the Tennessee Titans game against the Oakland Raiders in Nashville, TN in this Oct 30, 2005 file photo.

him to their nemesis - in division, right next door; they gave Steve McNair one last chance to win.

And he gave Baltimore all he had left. He just found out that all he had wasn’t much.

So, instead of trying for glory one last time , trying to hang on until the Ravens changed the lock on his locker like most players would, Steve McNair listened to his body - and perhaps, finally, his wife. And Steve McNair retired on his own terms.

And for all that, all those years, even the ones against then Ravens, his teammates gave Steve McNair a Standing O. In the end, Steve McNair was what Kellen Winslow, Jr. aspires to be, but already told us he is: a warrior. And young Winslow is showing the term “warrior” might someday befit him.

But for Steve McNair ———- that’s warrior with a capital “W.” And a Standing O.

Beutin: Schedule brutal on rebuilding Bears The Cubs’ Ryan Dempster deliver a pitcher during play against against the Reds Tuesday April 15, 2008.

CUBBIES SPRINGTIME in

CSR Photos

by

Warren Wimmer

Mark DeRosa puts the tag on Darin Erstad to end the inning during play at Wrigley Field Sunday April 6, 2008.

Ryan Theriot is tagged out by Astros infielder Tomas Perez during play at Wrigley Field Thursday April 3, 2008. Below Cubs centerfielder Reed Johnson chases down a fly ball against the Reds April 17, 2008.

Continued from Page 3

mid August till the leaves change color to make it from the end of the Cubs and White Sox playoff hopes to the first home game at Soldier Field. The Bears will also finish the season on the road, which will only matter if they’re in the playoff hunt still – and most likely they won’t be after suffering through a month-long road trip.

Hopefully the airline industry won’t need to cancel anymore flights by that time; but if the issue is money, the Bears will have a lot of frequent flier miles from their November road trip to bail out the airlines.

If it isn’t the Bears who petition the league for grievance, certainly it should be the fans. The Bears play three – count ‘em, THREE – home games in December, two of which are at night (Thurs vs. the Saints and Mon. vs. the Packers). Obviously Goodell has never sat in Soldier Field in December, when the snow blows UP into your face, the wind blows from EVERY direction and the only thing going DOWN is the temperature. Especially at night, when there is no sun to add what little warmth is possible while sitting next to a glacially formed body of water.

Perhaps someone in the league office – located in New York – is vastly confused as to the location of Chicago. Maybe they thought it was a sunny destination like Phoenix or Miami. It wouldn’t be surprising: some New Yorkers are lucky if they know

the location of anything past Philadelphia, unless it’s Los Angeles (AKA New York, West) Is it an over-reaction to call the Bears 2008 schedule a loaded gun? Yes, if there were a couple of other teams being short-changed by the schedule makers in the Big Apple. Unfortunately, the Bears are the only kid on April 15 to be handed the equivalent of coal in their stocking. Looking through the schedules of the other 31 teams in the league, it becomes obvious that either a Packer fan or some other hater of the blue and orange resides at NFL headquarters:

darlings of the East coast - the Giants and Patriots - boast well balanced schedules, open at home within the first two weeks and don’t have to make a trek longer than two games in length. The Eagles, Redskins and Cowboys all have either an opener or final game of the season on the road, but none can complain of excessive, consecutive road games. You could go on and on with this list – the point is, with the possible exception of the Panthers, no team can really complain that the NFL didn’t show them at least a little love.

The Bears – on the other hand – have pretty much been handed a letter from the league saying, “Go f&*% yourselves” (New York accent optional).

Is it an overreaction to call the Bears 2008 schedule a loaded gun?

- No other NFL team in 2008 will open with consecutive road games.

- Only one other team in 2008 will open on the road AND close on the road after playing consecutive road games in September or December. (Panthers) - No other team in 2008 plays three road games in a row.

- No other NFL team in an open-air dome north of the Mason-Dixon will play the majority of their home prime time games in December (the Bears play two of three) Take all of this in context: the beloved

The only ray of hope is how the Bears handled their last three game road-trip, which was in 2006 when they went Giants, Jets and Patriots in succession. They won two out of three and from there on out, never looked back on their road to Miami.

But, this is not 2006 and these Bears are not the solidified team they were then. There are question marks at defensive coordinator, every position on offense, safety and somewhere along Urlacher’s supposedly degenerative back. This is a team in full-blown

rebuild mode and somehow they have the unenviable task of playing a schedule that puts them at a disadvantage before the first snap of the season.

There isn’t much at this point that the Bears or anyone else can do about it except complain. And complain they should.

To think that the league somehow has no control over the schedule or that they didn’t notice how one team would have such an unbalanced schedule is silly: after all, the NFL tells players how high their socks can be worn on the field and schedules the playoffs down to the kick-off time all the way in April. Someone out there knew that what they had done to the Bears was unfair – and didn’t care.

The least the NFL could do now is send a little fruit our way to ease the paranoia.

Though other sportswriters in Chicago might still be unpacking their carpetbags, Dustin Beutin is a born and bred Chi-town sportswriter.

Heading into the heart of the Big Ten (Purdue) broadened his sports views, and it was during the Jauron era that he lost the innocence of blind love for Chicago sports and began looking for an outlet to vent his frustration. A trip out west to USC for a Master’s in writing was only tolerable with high doses of ESPN and Dodgers games, though it gave him a respect for the national perspective. Now in the early stages of a sports-writing career, Dustin hopes to give back to the city of Chicago everything it gave him: opinions and heartburn.

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Friday April 25, 2008

Friday April 25, 2008

Page 7

A White Sox Road Trip to Florida

by Jon

Chicago White Sox centerfielder Nick Swisher, doubles during play against the Minnesota Twins at U S Cellular Field in Chicago Monday April 7, 2008.

Kerr

Stepping foot inside a major league ballpark is an annual pilgrimage for me. Two dozen or so new parks have been built since the 1990’s, so there is plenty of product. And when I found myself in Tampa Bay, FL last week, my trip would not be complete without a trip to the Trop.

The White Sox are in town, which makes me feel a bit more at home. As I pull into the parking lot, I soon realize I might as well be at 35th and Shields. The familiar grey and black unis are a comfortable fashion statement amongst the tailgaters in Aisle 6.

I hate to break the color barrier as I slip on my Irish Green “Wrigley Field” T-Shirt, but being a Cub fan is a daily burden. We can’t selectively show our support, we must demonstrate it at all times. I get a few awkward glances as I head to the ticket window.

Where are the hometown jerseys? I see about a half dozen Frank Thomas jerseys on Floridians before I see the first Ray. You want to know why a franchise is floundering? Check out how many of their jerseys are worn by fans. I don’t have any scientific evidence to back this up, but have you been to St. Louis recently?

Based on advice given by a colleague, I buy the cheapest ticket I can, $11, and promptly walk towards the visiting dugout.

The White Sox are finishing batting practice and I want to get a closer look. Nick Swisher is raking the ball, Javier Vazquez - tonight’s starter - is long tossing in the outfield. Jim Thome runs over to sign some autographs, and within seconds he is right in front of me. I am as empty handed as one can be during one of these sessions - no pen and with nothing to sign. A middle-aged guy

from Boca next to me has a backpack filled with baseballs and a separate insert stacked with Sharpies. I quickly back away as I realize I am taking up valuable signage space from serious-minded professionals.

We’re still about 20 minutes before first pitch, so I decide to take a stroll around the old ball yard. Within minutes I come to a conclusion - this might be the worst ballpark in America. Worse than Phoenix. At least the one in Anaheim is outdoors. With more concrete then the Millennium Falcon, the Trop has as much charm as a hospital ER. As I take a lap around, I feel as though I am at the County Fair. The only thing missing are the pig races and butter cow. With no franchise history to speak of, plastered on the walls is a collage tilted “100 years of baseball in St. Pete”.

In case you were wondering, the old St. Louis Browns held spring training in Tampa. They hosted the Cubs on Feb. 27, 1914 in the first baseball game ever in the area.

The Cubs traveled to Florida via steamboat.

They are just six years removed from their last World Series.

I shouldn’t complain all that much. The advantage to attending a game in a place devoid of baseball interest is for $11, I get to sit wherever I want! I pick a spot 5 rows behind the visiting dugout. A “greatest moments in Rays history” montage is playing on the jumbo screen as the hometown boys take the field. I think the only thing shorter would be a Cesar Izturis Cubs highlight DVD. By the ninth inning, the Sox are up 9-0 on the Rays. Paul Konerko and Jim Thome both hit home runs. Vazquez gets out of a few jams. The Sox are a much improved team that should contend all season. They seem to be playing with more confidence than last season. It’s hard to tell against a

CSR Photo

by

A. Schuth

The Pernecky family of Land O Lake, Fl. Originally from Orland Park, Il sport Sox gear while at Tropicana Field. The Chicago White Sox were defeated by the Rays 5-0 at Tropicana Field, St Petersburg Sunday April 10, 2008.

team like Tampa - are the Sox this good, or are the Rays this bad? The few folks who follow the team tell me this game is out of character for them, the team finally has some good, young talent. All I know is by the sixth inning, I’m ready to leave. The ballpark feels like a bus ride to Des Moines, there is a guy two rows in front of me wearing a Ryne Sandberg jersey with the name “Urban” stitched on the back and I’ve got a plane to

catch.

Before I feel the urge to defend the Sandberg family name, I head to the parking lot. I see the Cubs beat the Pirates 3-2.

A group of a dozen kids are playing tag in front of the exit doors as I walk out.

All I can think of is get me back to Chicago. Get me back to outdoor baseball. The White Sox are good.

It’s going to be a fun summer.

Lister: Skiles firing, big-name trades dominate midseason Continued from Page 2

Sox

Chicago White Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks makes a delivery during ring play against the Minnesota Twins at U S Cellular Field in Chicago Monday April 7, 2008.

singles

CSR Photos

by

Warren Wimmer

New York Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui is drilled by Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Contreras during the sixth inning of play at U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago. Tueday April 22, 2008.

07 April 2008: Carlos Quentin, (20) Paul Konerko, (14) and Jermaine Dye (23) congratulate Joe Crede (24), after Credes’ grand slam gave the White Sox in the lead at U S Cellular Field against the Minnesota Twins Monoday April 7, 2008.

going forward.

There have been rumors that Sacramento has wanted to trade Bibby for a while now, with the most likely trading partner being the Miami Heat. Given that the Heat’s best offer revolves around Jason Williams’ expiring contract, it would be easy for the Bulls to offer a more attractive deal.

Oddly enough, Bibby would be sent to the Hawks at the trade deadline for Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second round draft pick. The Bulls, of course, would later make another - and arguably bigger - trade.

Dec. 18 - More of the same. The Bulls lose this night at home against the Los Angeles Lakers 103-91 and fall to 8-14. The good news is Luol Deng has a couple of very impressive games, scoring 29 points a grabbing 10 rebounds in a victory over the Knicks 12/14 and putting up 26 points and 7 rebounds in the Lakers’ loss. Charlie decides to look at the numbers and decide just how good Deng is: Using Dean Oliver’s “Approximate Value” formula and John Hollinger’s Player Efficiency Rating, we can investigate Deng’s effectiveness at a deeper level. These numbers are not perfect, but they are currently the best versions of a single number to indicate the value of a player.

Over the first three years, Deng’s average AV has been 9.45 - indicating an “average regular or a good sixth man.†His average PER has been 16.29, which usually equates to a hird Banana on a top-flight team. Obviously, those numbers are relatively disappointing. But they may not be appropriate, given how much better Deng played last season than in his first two years.

At age 21, Deng’s AV was 12.3, putting him in the “All-Star Candidate†category, while his PER of 18.8 made him a “Solid Second Option.” That’s more like it - still not superstar numbers, but Deng has not played like a

superstar to this point in his career, so that’s not surprising. These ratings hint that Deng has not yet reached his potential, but at least they suggest that becoming a perennial All-Star is not out of the question.

Dec. 21 - The Bulls are about to go on a three-game losing streak that will drop their record to 9-17. In what will turn out to be excellent timing, Charlie Danoff recaps Scott Skiles’ basketball career. Consider it an eulogy of sorts: What you see is what you get with Skiles.

He will hold his players accountable, but that is only because he also holds himself to a higher standard, and will work harder than anyone.

If you are willing to work, and actually want to improve, Scott Skiles is the coach for you. If you want to be lazy and fall back on talent and potential, it might not work - sorry Eddy.

All of this is well established. But Skiles’ only championship came in high school, and that was a long time ago. Through hard work as a player and coach he has earned the respect of his peers - for his dedication, and knowledge of the game.

The question now is: can he take the next step?

Taking a step back, being less hands-on and giving his players more responsibility is a move in the right direction. Just ask Ben Gordon: I think one thing I’ve seen from coach since I’ve been here, the first couple of years he was definitely on guys, because we were young and we kind of needed that. Now, he gives us a lot of freedom and with freedom comes a lot of responsibility. So we have to go out there and do our part. So I don’t think h’s what most people perceive him to be.

Three days later Skiles was fired as the Bulls head coach after slightly more than four years in that position. He had a 1012 record in three postseason appearances.

About a month later it was revealed Skiles was fired after he told Paxson the team needed “a new voice.”

Editor’s Note: Lister’s in depth review of the Bulls’ season will conclude in the next issue of CSR.

Photo

by

Mark Goldman/ICON SMI

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng (9) scores 2 of his 20 points in the second half against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., December 19, 2007.

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Friday April 25, 2008

Page 9

frames

Chicago Fire midfielder Justin Mapp escapse a New England Revolution defender during play.

FIRE from the

CSR Photos

by

Warren Wimmer

Chicago Fire forward Tomasz Frankowski wins the battle in the rain for the ball during play against the New England Revolution Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Bottom left: Forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco scores a on a penalty kick. Second from left: Blanco dribbles past a New England Revolution defender. Bottom center: Midfielder Logan Pause redirects the soccer ball. Second from right: Blanco brings the ball up the field. Bottom right: Forward Tomasz Frankowski is lifted by forward Chad Barrett. Chicago defeated New England 4-0 Wednesday April 3, 2008.

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Friday April 25, 2008

Friday April 25, 2008

Redemption for Dempster

MIS improvement projects taking shape BROOKLYN, Mich. – With less than two months to go before the start of the 40th season of racing at Michigan International Speedway construction crews are hard at work with various capital improvements projects on the speedway’s 1,400-acre property.

Michigan International Speedway is spending approximately $10 million to continue enhancing the track based on feedback from the fans that will help position the speedway for its next 40 years of racing.

Here are updates on many projects currently under way at MIS: •Many of the projects are beginning to take shape with the grandstand replacement project being the most noticeable. Old grandstands have been torn down in turn 1 and construction crews are currently replacing them with improved grandstand seating.

The new grandstand has wider seats, seatbacks and more leg room. The project began last year and does not add seats, but merely replaces old ones.

•The new, state-of-the-art 110-foot, three-sided LED scoreboard is scheduled to be installed in the next few weeks. The concrete base for the scoreboard was poured in December.

•Slusarski Paving of Adrian, Mich., is in the finishing stages of grading land for the 300 new Graves Farm Campground sites.

Cochran Electric Co. of Jackson, Mich., has already installed the electric hookups for those sites.

•The permanent shower/restroom facility in the Graves Farm Campground is currently under construction by O’Harrow Construction of Jackson, Mich.

•Installation of way-finding signage around the MIS property is also currently underway.

Fritz Advertising of Spring Arbor, Mich. has already constructed many signs in the parking lots and campgrounds at MIS. The branded signage will help pedestrians, motorists and campers find their way in, out and around the 1,400-acre racetrack property.

“We are really moving along on many of these projects,” track President Roger Curtis said. “All of these ongoing projects to elevate and enhance the fan experience are a result of the Michigan International Speedway fans telling us what they want. Many local companies that are doing the work have really taken ownership in these projects and everything is scheduled to be finished by the June race weekend. It’s a very exciting time for MIS.”

Cubs pitcher proving skeptics wrong by

New to MIS in 2008 are 300 campsites that have been added to the Walt Michal’s RV Superstore Graves Farm Campground.

Each new campsite has electrical hookups. A permanent restroom and shower building has also been added for guests’ convenience.

Camping at MIS provides a vacation getaway for fans that enjoy the exciting racing action of NASCAR. Every year, motorhomes, tents and pop-up campers ascend on MIS with the idea of sitting around a campfire, cooking out with family and friends and enjoying the scenic views of the historic, two-mile track right in their backyard. The camping experience at MIS is a fun and affordable way to see some of the greatest racing anywhere in the country.

“Camping at Michigan International Speedway is the perfect way to enjoy all the thrills of NASCAR racing in a national parklike setting,” speedway President Roger Curtis said.

R

Cubs collect 10,000th win CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs raised a flag in honor of the 10,000th win in franchise history. The 10,000th-win flag, along with the Cubs “W” flag, will go up this afternoon and be flown atop the Wrigley Field scoreboard for the duration of the current Cubs road trip.

The 10,000th-win flag will be taken down Tuesday, April 29 prior to the game against at Wrigley Field and autographed by the entire team. Starting April 30, the flag will be auctioned exclusively on www.cubs.com with all proceeds benefiting Cubs Care.

All day, everday: Fox is home of Chicago Bears LAKE FOREST, IL – The Chicago Bears announced a multi-year partnership making FOX Chicago, WFLD-TV, the home of the Bears. Starting with the 2008 season, Sundays on FOX Chicago will be “All Bears, All Day,” giving fans one station to turn to for all Bears info. All preseason games produced by the Chicago Bears Network will air on FOX Chicago along with pre- and post-game programming throughout the regular season and playoffs. In addition, nine of the Bears 16 regular season games are scheduled to be presented live on WFLD-TV. During the 2008 season, FOX Chicago will present three locally produced Bears preseason games and one nationally produced contest. Dave Barnett will provide play-by-play and former Bears QB Erik Kramer will supply color analysis for the Chicago Bears Network. All preseason games will be rebroadcast the following day on WFLD-TV sister station, WPWR My 50. FOX Chicago will also offer pre-game shows before all Bears preseason games and will kickoff their Bears coverage with a Bears Draft Night Live special this Sunday, April 27th, at 10:35pm.

“A singular destination for expansive television

coverage of Bears football is great for our fans and our business,” Chris Hibbs, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing said. “We are proud to team with FOX Chicago and have tremendous respect for the coverage they deliver year-round to Chicago sports fans.”

Pat Mullen, VP GM of FOX Chicago stated “This is a natural partnership for FOX Chicago as we already present the majority of Bears games in our market. We are thrilled to further expand our relationship with the Bears and the NFL.” Throughout the season, FOX Chicago’s dedicated Chicago Bears and NFL coverage will start with “FOX Kickoff Sunday” at 10:00 a.m. (CT) This will be followed by “ Bears GameDay Live” at 10:30 a.m. (CT) and FOX Sports’ national pregame show at 11:00 a.m.

(CT). Sunday evenings will conclude with extensive analysis of Bears games on “Bears GameNight Live” at 10:35 p.m. (CT), which immediately follows FOX Chicago’s award winning “Final Word.”

FOX Chicago will also have a significant presence inside Soldier Field on game days, at team events throughout the year and on ChicagoBears.com.

2008 BEARS PRESEASON SCHEDULE

DATE Thursday,Aug. 7 Saturday, Aug. 16 Thursday, Aug. 21 Thursday, Aug. 28

OPPONENT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at Seattle Seahawks SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at Cleveland Browns

TIME 7:00 pm 8:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:30 pm

Dennis Hobein

yan Dempster is proving a lot of people wrong, including me. When Dempster was all but given the number three spot in the rotation, I wondered why Cubs’ management thought he would succeed pitching 6+ innings in a game, when he frequently struggled to pitch one strong inning as a closer. When similar questions were raised by the media, Manager Lou Piniella and GM Jim Hendry would frequently state that Dempster had one of the best converted save percentages in the league last year, succeeding 28 out of 31 attempts. I thought that logic was somewhat short-sighted, however, considering he also had 7 losses and nearly as many hits given up as innings pitched.

Camping Still Available at Michigan International Speedway BROOKLYN, Mich. — One of the traits that makes Michigan International Speedway so special to race fans is the vacation experience of camping in the beautiful outdoors.

MIS offers nearly 9,000 campsites in nine Walt Michal’s RV Superstore-sponsored campgrounds on speedway property, which gives fans plenty of opportunity to bring their family or friends to MIS for a race weekend vacation that is full of fun and excitement. Michigan International Speedway is the largest registered camping area in the state of Michigan.

“We love camping in the Graves Farm Campground at MIS,” MIS ticket holder Dan Ruehl of Brighton, Mich., said. “Camping makes the race weekend really enjoyable for us. MIS does a great job of taking care of its fans. We are impressed with the speedway and the wonderful things they do for campers. It’s a great way to enjoy a NASCAR weekend.”

Page 11

NETWORK WFLD-TV WFLD-TV WFLD-TV WFLD-TV

“The Chicago Cubs are honored to be only the second club in Major League Baseball history to reach the 10,000th-win plateau. With the auction of this historic flag, we want to turn this great franchise win into a big win for the community and Cubs Care,” stated Matt Wszolek, director of sales and promotions.

The Cubs reached 10,000 wins with a 7-6 victory last night in Colorado.

For more information or to take part in the auction, please visit Cubs.com beginning Wednesday, April 30.

Another common argument in favor of inserting Dempster into the rotation was his familiarity and success in the role. From 1998-2004, Dempster was a starting pitcher with the Marlins, Reds, and Cubs, until the Cubs converted him into a closer in 2005, after he recovered from Tommy John surgery. That argument seems reasonable, especially if the phrase “previous success” is used loosely. His best year as a starter was in 2000, when he went 14-10 with a 3.66 ERA. But more important than proving people wrong, he is providing the Cubs with some much needed stability in the starting rotation, while Ted Lilly and Rich Hill continue to struggle. Heading into April 15th’s start against Aaron Harang and the Cincinnati Reds, Dempster is 1-0 with a miniscule 0.69 ERA. Admittedly, the season is very young, and Dempster only has two starts under his belt. It’s the way he has commanded the strike zone, kept hitters off-balance, and his renewed sense of confidence that has been most impressive.

He doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, typically topping out at around 90-92 MPH. What seems to be different this year is the movement on his ball. On several occasions, he has carved up left-handed hitters with pitches that start out at the hitters’ hip, and then darts back over the inside corner, reminiscent of a Greg Maddux pitch. Dempster also is featuring his straight change and curve more often, instead of over-relying on his split-finger fastball. In terms of “mound presence”, he looks much more comfortable and confident than he ever did as a closer. He’s working quickly, and consistently getting ahead of hitters in the count.

Last year, Dempster was the player Cubs fans “loved to hate”, even getting stuck with the not-so-flattering nickname “Dumpster”.

This year, that nickname may need to find the trash. So far, it has been a redeeming year for Ryan Dempster.

CSR Photo

by

Warren Wimmer

Cubs reliever Ryan Dempster waits for the call from the dugout during a game against the Mariners in this June 13, 2007 file photo.

What We Expected (And What We Didn’t)

by Jon

Kerr

While this baseball season is still in its infancy, this fact does not prevent us who follow the Cubs from forming opinions, rational or otherwise. Here are my initial thoughts on the first week of the 2008 season: WHAT WE EXPECTED; VALIDATED: *Derrek Lee is back. Remember the guy

who wore out right and lefthanders in 2005?

They guy who drove the ball consistently to right center field? This is the D-Lee the Cubs paid $75 million for in early 2006, only to have him break his wrist in a collision with Rafael Furcal one night in LA two years ago. His .455 average, .833 slugging and 25 total bases through 7 games is early proof the Cubs mercurial leader is at full strength.

•Big Z was worth the money. Here’s my pitch to Chicago water and coffee marketing reps - will someone step up and give this guy

an endorsement? If Rachel Ray can pitch Dunkin’ Donuts, why can’t our caffeine-challenged ace? Like the paparazzi with Britney Spears, we know Carlos Zambrano comes with an extra large scoop of drama. If Z were a Ben and Jerry’s flavor of ice cream, he’d be Chunky Monkey. But we love the production - 12 strikeouts and an ERA just over 1.00 after two starts. With the security of a long contract, Z is forgetting past April failures, throwing with purpose and like a guy who could win 20.

•Alfonso Soriano likes to swing the bat,

which makes him a perfect 4, 5 or 6 hitter.

Unfortunately, he hits leadoff. I will write more about this during the season as this is a debate worthy of more time and space. At this point in his career, Soriano is the hitter he’s going to be - 30 home runs, .300 average, 40 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 150 strikeouts. What angers Cubs fans is when he was signed in 2007, they didn’t actually believe he would be hitting first. Batting deeper in the lineup, Soriano’s Q rating at Wrigley Please see KERR on page 12

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Friday April 25, 2008

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Thanks Dusty: a nostalgic tribute to the former Cubs Manager

by Jon

Kerr

I

CSR Photo

by

Warren Wimmer

Former Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker is picture during his first trip back to Wrigley Field as the Cincinnati Reds manager Tuesday April 15, 2008.

was strolling down Clark Street, just in front of Wrigley Field earlier this week.

I had just finished meeting with a ticket broker, discussing business. As I glanced over towards the new Ernie Banks statute, I noticed a man sitting on the new benches that surround Banks. Dressed all in black, clutching a cell phone, I wasn’t sure if I recognized the hovering figure until he spoke into his phone“Dude, it’s a clear day.”

Then I knew. It’s Dusty. Back in Chicago, the Cubs former manager was spending part of his off day at his old place of employment.

I’m sure he wanted to see the new landmark, which looked stunning on this clear day. As I drove away, I gave myself a few minutes to sort out how I felt. Former Cubs managers are a lot like old girlfriends - seeing them again is bound to stir up some emotion.

And as I turned onto Lake Shore Drive I felt…grateful.

Yes, grateful.

Baseball fans in Chicago have a tendency to place too much blame on franchise futility with the manager. When things go bad, as they so often do, it’s open season on the guy who fills out the lineup card. Remember this time last year? All I heard about Lou Pinella was how the “game had passed him by”, “he’s out of touch with today’s players”. Nonsense.

All Pinella needed was a little time to get to know his players, get rid of the ones who weren’t with the program (Michael Barrett, Cesar Izturis), and let the talent on the roster win ballgames. Which it eventually did.

You see, players win games, not managers. At most, you can site a handful of games every year where the manager is responsible for a win or a loss. The value of baseball managers at the major league level is mostly determined by factors that are difficult to document - psychological, inspirational - qualities from a leader that are arguably more important than their ability to execute a double switch.

I will always be grateful to Baker for how he blew into town. Fresh off a World Series with the Giants in 2002, Baker arrived with instant credibility. When asked about the ridiculous Billy Goat curse and the franchise’s hollow history, Baker played dumb.

“I don’t know nothing about no curse” or words to that effect. These were uttered at his first press conference in 2002.

My reaction?

That’s what I’m talking about! At that point, I didn’t care if Baker could fill out a lineup card as strategically as Tony LaRussa.

I cared that he didn’t care about anything that happened at Clark and Addison before he showed up.

The first year, it worked. Raising the expectations of a franchise, it was no coincidence the Cubs made it all the way to the NLCS. But for all of Dusty’s uplifting clubhouse demeanor, the 2003 team never would have gotten five outs away from the World Series without the following names: Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Borowski, Sosa and Alou.

They made the pitches, they hit the home runs, they made the key saves.

When things started to go bad late in 2004, the ‘In Dusty we Trusty’ T-Shirts were replaced by “Baker Blows”. Last I checked, which was while I was writing this column, Baker didn’t blow that three-run ninth inning lead to the Mets in late September, all but sealing the Cubs fall from the wild card. But the damage was done. Dusty never recovered.

Now let’s be clear. You don’t lose 179 games in 2 seasons without some blame, as Baker did in 2005-2006. Once Derrick Lee got hurt early in the 2006 season, Baker seemed to lose interest. And I will never forgive him for trotting Mark Prior back on the mound after the once-phenom collided with Marcus Giles in 2003. I believe this decision had to do with Prior’s lingering health issues.

But as I came to a stop at the northbound light on Clark, I glanced over at the man who at one time was discussed more in Chicago barber shops than Drew Peterson. I wanted to roll down my window and say something, but the light was turning and Baker was yapping into his cell phone.

Here’s what I would have said given the chance: Thanks Dusty. Thanks for being the first Cubs manager to understand that for the franchise to move forward it had to forget about its past. Thank you for having the guts to say what needed to be said.

Dude, good luck with the Reds. And Corey Patterson still can’t play.

KERR: Dempster can start; Wood can finish Continued from Page 11

would be appreciable higher.

•Brian Roberts needs to come here. The only reason the Baltimore second baseman is not a Cub is Orioles owner Peter Angelos.

How do you explain why this deal was “in negotiations” for almost 5 months? It doesn’t take that long for Simon, Paula and the other guy to choose the next “American Idol” for Pete’s sake. How would a switch-hitting, contact hitter who isn’t afraid to take a pitch look at the top of the Cubs line up right now? Pretty darn good.

•Kerry Wood can close. Sure, he blew up in the opener. But since then, Wood has been lights out, saving 3 of 4 save opportunities. It’s never mental with Wood - this guy is nails between the ears - it’s always physical. If his back and shoulder can hold up during these chilly first few months, he will save at least 30 games this year.

NOT EXPECTED; SOME SURPRISES ARE OK, OTHERS NOT SO MUCH •The right fielder from Japan can play.

Whether he was taking the spring to get comfortable with Major League pitching - he barely hit .200 - it looks as though Kosuke Fukudome knew what he was doing all along. From his theatrics on opening day, to his slap hit that scored the winning runs April 6 at Wrigley Field, to his javelin-like

arm in right field, this guy is worth every yen, er, dollar the Cubs invested in him.

Fans, media and marketers are all winners here. Forget the “Indiana Jones” sequel; this will be the runaway box office hit of the summer. *The league has caught up to Ted Lilly.

Or are we seeing the lingering effects of his mound meltdown in Game 2 of the NLDS last October? In ‘07, Lilly was a legit number two starter. Some thought he should start over Big Z in game 1 of the playoffs vs. Arizona. Whatever it is, we know his two-start ERA of 9.72 will come down, we just don’t know how much.

•Ryan Dempster can start. His seveninning, one-hit shutout performance vs. the Pirates April 9 is proof he’s going to be in the rotation for awhile. A below .500 career starter with an ERA well over 4.00, his move to the rotation was not met with overwhelming support. But with Wood and Carlos Marmol set to take over as closer, this was addition by subtraction. A great clubhouse guy who is a bit of a flake (and I say that in the most flattering way possible), Demp should easily hit 12-15 wins and 200plus innings.

•Where are the Cubs? OK, let me rant here a bit. I come home Wednesday night, flip on the TV, only to find Bulls-Magic on Comcast, “Family Guy” on WGN and “King of Queens” on the U. I have Direct TV, so I am CLTV-less, and after flipping through

CSR Photo

by

Warren Wimmer

Former starter Kerry Wood’s success as a relief pitcher is a surprise to some.

each channel in the sports-filled 600’s, I am forced to flip on the radio and the Pat and Ron show. Not even the ESPN 5 channel, my typical go-to signal in these rare situations, has the game. In this Sam Zell-fied, on-demand, downloadable, mega media conglomerate overindulged universe we live in, there should never be a scenario where

I can’t find the Cubs game! Anybody with me? Or better yet, any ideas in this situation?

It would have been OK if I could have heard Ron Santo try and pronounce Fukudome.

I would have turned the TV sound down for that.

Photo

Boston College celebrates winning the 2008 NCAA Frozen Four final game against Notre Dame played at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. Thursday April 10, 2008.

by

Ric Tapia/ICON SMI

The 2008 NCAA Championship – An Heavenly Affair by

M

Charlie Danoff

y flight landed on the ground in Denver after the semi-final games had been decided. The national championship was to be an exclusively catholic affair, pitting the Boston College Eagles against their hated football rival the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

While I was disappointed to miss the semi’s, around 12:30 AM Friday, April 11th, hockey was the furthest thing from my mind. My plane was delayed and then my bus was also running late, so I missed my light rail connection at the 30th & Downing RTD station.

Unbeknownst to me, I hap happened upon the Denver “hood.” Not my words, but those of the icy fresh Newport 100 smoking, self-dubbed Denver OG. I struck up a conversation with him and his wife, and soon learned I was “too white” for the area, and that I was running the risk of being stomped.

Not, because I “had something [my attackers] would want, but because they would think you had something they’d want.”

I replied I was unafraid, thanks to my two good friends Mr. Right and Mr. Left.

He was not impressed for some reason, and said that I better “be from Chicago,” I better “be from Cabrini” to survive out there.

North side suburbs full of spoiled white kids are kinda like Cabrini, right?

Anyway, I ended up sharing a cab with the kind pair, and, the whole time it occurred to me my mother would never approve of the situation.

Let’s just say, when we were supposed to be dropping off the couple, a large group of men surrounded the cab, and the next thing I knew it was Sunday morning and I was in a Denver hospital and had missed the Championship. ….

Actually from the cab on that was a complete lie. I woke up Sunday morning to the knowledge that I had just missed my flight, after they had been paging me for over ten minutes. My body had been laying literally twenty feet from the gate.

It is true that we shared a cab, but I ended Thursday evening safely in my smoking room at the Quality Inn. Anyway, you came here to read about hockey, right?

Friday I got my first chance to see the two teams at their respective practices. I could not quite put my finger on it, but watching BC work like it was another day at the office, while the Irish acting like they were just happy to be in the championship, I got the feeling the game meant more to the Eagles.

Notre Dame’s season was already a success, but if Boston College lost, especially after their last couple of season’s sad endings, they would unquestionably be failures.

That night I saw what was arguably the play of the weekend at the Frozen Four Skills Challenge. It was the shootout competition, and Air Force’s Eric Ehn did what I initially thought was a mistake, but turned out to be the greatest deke I have ever witnessed.

He attacked the net, moving to his backhand and the goalie Justin Mrazek’s right side. From where I was sitting it looked like he lost his balance and almost fell, but next thing I knew the red light was flashing Video replay revealed what actually happened. Ehn only faked losing his balance to distract the goalie. While he was down on a knee, he tapped the puck backwards between his legs with his right glove.

At the same time his left hand had guided his stick behind him and he then backhanded the puck in-between the shocked legs of Mrazek.

As the shootout was going on, I excitedly attempted in vain to explain the intricacies

of the event to a pair of eager, attractive and above all else professional co-eds named Katie and Ariana, who were covering the weekend for their school paper, the Denver University Clarion1.

I detailed how it was far more difficult to perform in the shoot out after the ice had been skated on for a while, as the puck is prone to taking funny bounces, making solid dekes next to impossible, unless of course one uses their glove.

As usual, I was really just having a conversation with myself, and the glazed eyes of the girls silently indicated they were not in the least impressed by my hockey savant put on. \Speaking of talented college girls, Friday night’s Frozen Four Skills Competition was a truly unique event, as it featured both men and women from across the land competing together.

It was a noble endeavor, but ultimately flawed, I believe. As opposed to opening the possibility to the idea which will ultimately prove true, that women can compete and defeat men in any arena, the “Competition” simply reinforced the idea that the gentler sex cannot even begin to challenge the idiot sex.

The problem was, women always competed against women, and men against men.

What should have been decided by talent was decided by narrow minded NCAA officials mentally stuck in the wrong millennium.

There is no reason in a shootout, or shooting accuracy event, women could not beat men. All it comes down to is how much time the individual has spent practicing their stickwork. It does not take superhuman strength to pick a corner, nor it is required to beat even the best of goalies.

A sensitive yet firm touch is all that is necessary, and as any man who shows a warm front to the world and then crumbles into his girl’s waiting arms at home knows, is

an area where senioritas excel.

But that is really neither here nor there, at least for this column.

For his originality and creativity, Ehn won the male top performer award, while Shannon Moulson from Niagra won it for the ladies.

She earned the honor primarlily for her Ray Bourque-esque2 performance in the Accuracy Shot. There are targets placed in the net’s four corners and one in the five hole3, and shooters need to hit as many as possible in twenty seconds with a eight shot maximum.

No male hit more than four.

Shannon did not look to do much better as she missed her target with her first three attempts. Then she turned into an action movie star, as she nailed her next five shots.

Technically; however, she only hit four, because the fifth came after the twenty seconds expired. Nevertheless, many male competitors put a illegal shot on net after their time had passed, and none of them hit all five.

The rules of the game were to play a critical role over the duration of the weekend.

Asked afterwards in one of many dumb questions by the ESPNU crew, if she was nervous after missing her early shots, she responded without hesitation, “No, I was confident the whole time.”

You go girl.

With the competition completed, all that remained was the game to decide it all.

To set the stage for the final performance of the season, allow me to introduce the players.

There is one team, making their first ever appearance in the National Championship, the Fighting Irish.

The Troublemaker | Notre Dame | D | Kyle Lawson This sophomore defenseman took care

Please see KERR on page 12

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Friday April 25, 2008

Friday April 25, 2008

Page 15

DANOFF: Notre Dame no match for Boston College’s experience three power play.

Gerbe and Joe Whitney were playing catch just outside the Notre dame face off circles. Gerbe faked a slap shot, freezing the goalie, then passed it back to Whitney for a real slapper of his own. Bouncing off the top of the skate of a Notre Dame player, the puck was redirected just a centimeter over the outstretched right pad of Pearce.

The Irish showed me why I am so very far from being a Dr. Danoff, as it only took fifty-six seconds to show their heart was alive and well.

Attacking the zone, Kevin Deeth vaulted a Kyle Lawson pass on net, slipping it past John Muse to bring the Irish within two.

Heading into the third period, the Eagles officially had the most dangerous lead in hockey. And you remember loyal readers what happened4 in the Midwest Regional championship when Wisconsin had a two goal lead, don’t you?

Continued from Page 14

of business on both ends of the ice, with a +12 +/- rating, and 25 points leading all blue line contributors. With Notre Dame facing elimination in the CCHA playoffs, Lawson was at his best, getting three points to lead them to vitctory and stay alive for their eventual Frozen Four run.

His biggest moment of the season was yet to come, however.

The Man in the Iron Mask | Notre Dame | G | Jordan Pearce

Like Muse, Pearce is one of the nation’s leaders in minutes played, fourth overall.

Unlike Pearce, he is no longer a teenager nor a freshman on paper. Experience wise, however, with only nine starts heading into this season, he was for all intents and purposes a frosh.

You would never know he was so wet behind the ears, by looking at his numbers now. He is in the top five in nine different categories in the ND hockey record books, including GAA and save percentage.

Directed by, Former Islanders Assitant Coach Jeff Jackson, who in only three years has guided the Irish from also-ran to national prominence.

The Local Connection

Notre Dame Freshman defenseman Teddy Ruth is from Naperville, IL. He is so highly thought of, that his NHL rights traded straight up for Sergei Federov this past February.

Their opponents have been here many times, in fact, they lost the last three title games, the Eagles.

The Rookie | Boston College | G | John Muse

The nineteen-year-old Boston native has shouldered as much, if not more of any college Freshman in the 2007-08 school year.

Beyond simply adjusting to a new school, lifestyle and friends, he has played every single minute this year for the Eagles.

Aside from, of course, on those rare instances when they pulled their goalie for the extra attacker; if there was an Eagle between the pipes this season, it was Muse.

In fact, he is leading the nation in minutes played, and has only gotten better as the pressure has gone up. In three tournament games, he has a 1.87 GAA and a .94 save percentage. Derrick Rose played a crucial role leading the Memphis Tigers to the title as a freshman, but even he did not play every possible second.

The Rejected Prince | Boston College | F | Nathan Gerbe

One of the smallest players in college hockey at 5’5” and just 165 pounds, Gerbe has nonetheless been one of his sports most dominant players with 64 points in only 42 games.

Despite once again taking his team to a national championship, and getting four points in the semi-final game, Gerbe was passed over for the Hobey Baker award, in favor of Michigan forward Kevin Porter.

When asked if he minded the snub, Nathan responded like a true hockey player, “Nah … I want the other trophy.”

Directed by, John York – The active coach with the most wins in NCAA history.

And now for the grand performance you’ve all been waiting for.

First Period

The opening period did not have a lot of exciting “top-plays” style highlights, but lots of excellent hockey. The action was about strong regular strength defense and penalty kills. That written, the best play still might make some higlight reels: Notre Dame’s Brock Sheahan had lost his stick and was kicking the puck past his blue line, hoping to connect the biscut to a with-stick teammate.

Boston College’s freshman Brian Gibbons noticed the weakened position Sheah-

Photo

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Ric Tapia/ICON SMI

Boston College’s Eagles Matt Greene is stood up during play against Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Pepsi Center in Denver Sunday April 13, 2008.

an was in, and I imagine was licking his lips as he lined him up for a hit.

Gibbons was aiming for his chest, but all he got was a stiff Sheahan forearm, straight to his pride, before crumbling to the ice.

Brian was so embarassed he commited a minor infraction, hitting the puck with his glove, drawing a whistle.

The real story of period number one, only the fourth championship in frozen four history to be scoreless, was referee Todd Anderson’s whistle.

Four penalties were called, three on BC and one on the golden domers.

The first Irish powerplay was pathetic.

Boston College’s Kyle Kucharski was kind enough to hold a ND stick, giving them the man advantage, but they did not repay his generosity. In their two minutes they consistently used the dump and chase offensive attack, which is fine for five on five, but idiocy on the power play, because with the extra man, it is much easier to carry the puck into the offensive zone.

As opposed to dumping it in a corner, which gives the defending team a much better chance of clearing it quickly. Needless to say, Notre Dame was held shotless on this special teams exercise.

Post game, coach Jeff Jackson opined, he was “surprised” by how “cautious” his team played to start the game.

They improved on their next opportunity, when BC’s Matt Greene went to the box with 14:33 gone by for cross checking. They had the best scoring chance of the period for either team.

The BC forward covering the upper right quadrant of his team’s penalty kill box overcommited to the ND defenseman, thinking the ND forward Mark Van Guilder to the defenders left would pass to him. The winger kept the puck, and skated to the now open slot area, the most dangerous place to shoot from.

Drawing goalie John Muse from right to left, Van Guilder passed to where Muse was a second before to the waiting stick of Ryan Thang. Thang one-timed it into the open net ... but the opening was just not there long enough, as a split second stab from Muse’s left leg pad closed it immediately.

At the end of the power play, Nathan Gerbe found a puck around the red line with only one defender between him and the net. His put on a deke that did not fool the defender, and managed only a wake shot on Jordan Pearce, losing the one on one.

It was to be one of very few battles the Hobey Baker runner-up would lose Saturday

evening.

Second Period

After over a period of frustrating offensive impotence, the goal line was finally penetrated early in the second by an Eagle’s outstretched talons.

After showing his tough side in the first, Gibbons showed he is also sensitive as he laid a silky, sexy backhanded drop pass on the stick of Gerbe who one timed the puck to the far pipe, just over Pearce’s right shoulder.

Given how experienced BC is in these type of games and how “green” Notre Dame, is, I wondered after the goal if the Irish would be able to respond, or would it crush their spirits?

They certainly did not make it easy on themselves, committing four more penalties over the period’s remainder.

Maybe coach Jeff Jackson saw this coming, as Friday at practice Notre Dame focused a lot on their penalty kill.

It was paying off to start the championship. They were stopping the Eagles from getting any good special teams scoring chances.

BC did manage to pull off a well-executed one timer with Ben Smith slapping the puck from the slot, but unfortunately for him it went far wide of the net.

Bouncing of the glass, the seemingly harmless puck ended up to the left of Muse.

Gerbe was on the case again; however, and managed to put wood on the puck as he was falling to the ice after being shoved. He got just enough on it to squirt it in between Pearce’s pads for a two-zip lead.

Less than a minute later, Dan VeNard committed the most egregious sin and most dangerous play in hockey, as he hit a BC player from behind, sending him head first into the boards. Hockey is a reckless enough game, without guys pursposefully trying to break their opponents necks, as is all too possible on a hit from behind.

ND’s defensive positioning was strong once again on the kill; however, and they even had a great short handed offensive rush.

It was a two on one, Irish forward Ryan Thang drew in the BC defenseman, then slid a pass under his stick to the streaking Kevin Deeth. Deeth’s redirection meant to go top shelf went over the net.

The green heart was still beating ...

When BC scored again soon afterwards, I thought the beat had been silenced forever.

The goal followed two more Irish penalties and one on BC, a rare yet very important hockey sequence was enacted, the four on

Like Scottish Bagpipers in the middle ages, the Irish band contiuned to play attempting to lift their warrior’s spirits to victory...

Third Period

Notre Dame was not going to go quietly into the night, quickly scoring one of the prettiest goals I have ever seen in my life. It started with a drop pass by a ND forward near the top of the face off circle to the goalie’s left. His trailer, picked up the pick and immediately passed it across the net to a teammate, who then touch passed it to Kyle Lawson who put the puck in the back of the net.

We officially had a hockey game with most of the third period still left to play, but ...

In a fitting twist for a game with such strong catholic underpinnings, the turning point in the game came on a call to the man upstairs.

The issue at stake was a referee instructor’s dream, because it required a judgment call so subtle, that it could easily go either way, and debate over the interpretation of the rules could go on ad infinitum.

The puck had gone in not off Lawson’s stick, but his skates.

Looking at the NCAA’s official rules5 this falls under section 18.c, “A goal shall not be allowed in any of the following cases ... If the puck has been propelled by a distinct kicking motion, thrown or otherwise directed into the goal by any means other than a stick” It also includes the following note, “Note: A distinct kicking motion includes any puck initially propelled by a skate.”

There was seemingly an hour long delay as the powers that be debated the merits or lack there, of, of the goal. Even after Todd Anderson picked up the phone, fans still had to wait another few minutes before knowing the outcome. They were appropriately booing viscously.

At the end of the day, Anderson spoke, not with words, but with a quick cross of the arms, followed by a full shoulder-level extension.

Those who can read such cryptic symbols, understood it meant no goal.

Not that it matters, but in my opinion, the goal should have counted. While the puck did bounce off the skate, his foot was not by any means in a kicking motion.

Anyway, Notre Dame faced a serious uphill climb at this point.

When eventual Tournament MVP Nathan Gerbe got his fourth point of the evening assisting on a Ben Smith diving goal, the game was done. Almost no team could come back from such a series of events.

Like Scottish Bagpipers in the dark ages, the Irish band contiuned to proudly play in an attempt to charge their warrior’s spirits for victory, but it was to no avail. The played like heroes, but the season was over for Notre Dame.

For Boston College, as their coach and Captain, Mike Brennan alluded to post game, for a championship team, their season will never end. They are now, and will forever be, simply, the ’08 team.

Back-up quarterback Eddie McGee looks for a reciever downfield.

Head Coach Ron Zook keeps a close eye on the offense during Saturday’s practice at Lemont High School.

Illinois tight end Michael Hoomanawanui gets upended but holds on to the ball during spring football practice.

At left: Illinois junior Quarterback Juice Williams looks for an opening in the defense. Above: Runningback Darius Purcell puts a move on cornerback Bo Flowers.

Illini Football spring practice CSR Photos

by

Michael DiNovo

Page 16

Friday April 25, 2008

Hockey uberfan reflects on first game from the Blackhawks press box by

minded me of my childhood hockey days, Nashville coach Barry Trotz switched goaltenders halfway through the second period.

Pekka Rinne was put in net, replacing Mason; and you know what, if nothing else, I was one of only 29,000 or so fans to see Rinne play live in the NHL this season, so that’s sweet.

Psych myself.

Charlie Danoff

“The most important thing is the last minute of the game” - Hawks Head Coach Dennis Savard, donned in a beautiful dark charcoal, pink pin-striped suit with a pink tie So, it finally happened for me. After months of work toiling, spitting into the wind, and staying up past six a.m. to write articles for no pay, and then subsequently falling asleep at my paying job, my effort was finally validated with a press pass to cover the Chicago Blackhawks.

That the game is the first home game all year where the Hawks are officially out of the playoff race and that I am not technically getting cash to write about them is really neither here nor there.

I had arrived as a writer.

Needless to say, my Expectations for the evening were at level Dickens’ Pip, could not imagine.

I was so happy with myself, that despite not getting out of work till around 5:30 PM, I felt I definitely had time for a drink before the game’s 7:30 start. In fact, I deserved one.

Of course, there wouldn’t be any alcoholics in the world if every time people said they were going have “just one” drink they actually did. The one Rolling Rock turned quickly into two and then the boss shows up offering to by shots. Certainly I, a lowly Analyst, could not throw such generosity in the Big Guy’s face, right?

Obviously, the next detail in my tale will surprise no one. I did not make it to my car to leave for the game until 6:40.

Now, under usual circumstances, giving yourself an hour plus to get to the UC from the Northern suburbs is more than enough time.

Of course, as is always the case with the unorganized, lazy and procrastinating entity known as me, there are never usual circumstances. Just so happened than game day, April 4th was also the beginning of a massive, multi-million dollar renovation of the Edens Expressway. It had been backed up for hours all day, and I had conveniently placed my departure time in the middle of rush hour.

Thus, the easy route, taking the highway and getting off at Madison was out.

I of course, had already factored this into my calculations. I was going to take Lake Shore Drive, exit on Wacker and take Madison and take it right to the rink. I had never taken the route before, but my Guiness loving drinking buddy assured me it would be easy to figure out.

What I did not factor into my finely tuned calculations was passing Madison by over a mile. By which time, of course, the game had technically started.

By the point I finally acknowledged my error, and swallowed my manly pride enough to a nice gentlemen casually sucking down a tobacco tube how to get to Madison, he looked at me incredulously and asked, “Not from Chicago, huh?”

Well, technically I am not from Chicago, my home suburb of Winnetka is at least fifteen minutes down the road.

After mocking me, my new friend was eventually kind enough to direct me with a route that got me to the rink in under ten minutes.

I was panicking so much by the time I actually arrived, that I decide to eschew the search for the free media parking lot. I wanted to get my car parked and into the building as soon as possible, I mean the rates couldn’t be too crazy. Five, ten bucks at the most, right?

Twenty dollars I can by no means afford later, my car was parked. In exchange for my monetary castration I was at least hoping the parking lot attendant could guide me to the media entrance?

“Been doing this 19 years, I should really know that, sorry” Frustrated once again, I got on my meta-

CSR Photo

by

Dennis Wierzbicki

Chicago Blackhawks center Kevyn Adams advances the puck through the neutral zone while being fore-checked by Nashville Predators right wing Brandon Bochenski (24) during an NHL match between the Blackhawks and the Predators, won by the Hawks 3-1.

phorical horse and ran as fast as I could frantically around the building looking for the media gate. Sadly, my horse had been badly damaged by a college career whose primary professors were Jack and Jim, and whose advisor the Marlboro Man did not give the best guidance for a sprinter.

I finally got to the magical entrance, gate three and a half. Racing down stairs to the basement and then taking the elevator up to the seventh floor, I was glad to see the two spots to my right that were supposed to be filled were not. At least I was not the only tardy party.

I mean, I wasn’t that late, only missing most of the first period. Perhaps I had been lucky enough not to miss any goals as well?

My left seat neighbor quickly dispelled any such foolish hopes, “Well you only missed four.”

And what a four to miss. Keep in mind all of my coming goal reporting is from watching the jumbotron highlights, as I was kicking my own a$$ for being tardy.

Former Blackhawk bust, now Nashville star forward J.P. Dumont assisted on the first goal just 2:18 into the period, while I was driving away from the rink, still too vain to ask for directions.

Torching his former teammates is something Dumont has become accustomed to. After Friday night, in 21 career games against the Hawks he has 17 points. Good thing Hawks brass traded him, eh?

The Hawks were quick to respond however, as former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews scored two and a half minutes later. Grabbing a rebound in the slot with his back to the net, he did a 180 degree spin worthy of an Olympic figure skating gold medal followed by a wrister that male figure skaters can only pull off in their dreams, straight past Nashville’s Chris Mason.

And the Hawks were not done. Despite being shorthanded thanks to a Andrew Zyuzin interference penalty, Adam Burish intercepted a lazy Alexander Radulov pass to Ville Koistinen.

Racing the puck down the ice, Koistinen actually caught up to Burish and pushed him hard enough that Burish was only able to get a weak backhander on Mason. Thankfully, Koistinen did the rest, falling into his own goalie and taking the biscut to the back of the net with him.

As if that were not enough, the Hawks really wanted to rub my tardiness in my face, as Patrick Kane scored four minutes later.

They had a two on one, and the Nashville defender hit the deck to prevent the crossing pass. Sharp attempted quite possibly the most difficult pass in hockey, a backhand saucer to raise the puck over the body on the ice and onto Kane’s tape.

He failed, lifting the puck far too high to land on Kane’s blade, but he did manage to hit Patrick’s stick. The puck then bounced conveniently into the white stuff behind Chris Mason to give the Hawks a 3-1 lead.

It was Kane’s 20th goal of the year, helping him put a strangle hold on his lead in

the Rookie points race. After the game, Kane was asked if he thought about his first overall position. In true champion fashion, he responded, that only now, with the playoff race over would he focus on such things.

The rest of the period I caught my breath, and tried to steady my mind for analyzing the game.

FIRST INTERMISSION In the intermission, speaking with my neighbors, a quite humorous tale was recounted to me, that involved a man being persecuted for taking a little too much freedom in his choice of sweaters. Check it out [a] for more details of Jason Wisinewski’s totalitarian rules for reporters.

SECOND PERIOD The second period was all about one man.

That brave soul who sacrifices life, limb and sanity, fearlessly putting his very soul on the line, for the right to be pelted for 60 minutes a night by biscuts made of anything but flour, flying at over one hundred miles an hour. Only an alien would not only take this role if assigned, but volunteer for it, right?

Appropriately, the courageous individual wearing a red jersey on his chest has a Martian scrawled over his helmet.

Lalime faced over twice as many shots as his Predators counterparts, thirteen to five, and stone walled them all.

It was also not as if they were just soft shots from the perimeter. Nashville had one scoring chance after another as they relentlessly attempted to best Patrick. You see, aside from the exponential speed jump, the biggest difference between professional and amateur hockey is that players do not pass to one where their teammates are,, they pass to where their teammates will be.

One such case was a Nashville forward receiving the an outlet pass around center ice. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a white jersey streaking to his right. Without a seconds hesitation, he made a behind the back pass to the streaking Predator. The puck was angled down ice, so it connected exactly with his tape when the Predator reached the blue line.

There were Hawk defenders skating backwards, but none within ten feet as the forward streaked to the net. Lalime squared his shoulders to the shooter, taking the best angle to give him as little net as possible to shoot at. The Predator wristed a quick shot around the top of the hash marks, that bounced easily off Lalime’s pads.

Another time late in the second, Brandon Bochenski executed a flawless give and go with Martin Erat. Erat made the return pass as Brandon had split the Hawks D, perfectly placing the puck under the stick of Brent Seabrook, back to Brandon.

Forced to move from post to post in a flash, Lalime made the play, using the inside end of his right leg pad to control the puck, and then smothering it before any rebounds could be had.

Speaking of goalies, in a move that re-

THIRD PERIOD Again the third period featured no scoring, much to my chagrin. I was so selfish that I even got to the point where I hoped Lalime would let in a softy or two, forcing the game to go to overtime and then a shootout, with the Hawks coming out victorios, obviously.

As usual, by the end of it I was happy my selfish wishes were not answered.

Lalime once again dominated the action. Savard said as much afterwards, noting that “Patty was the difference in the hockey game.”

The other dominating presence on the ice was the Hawks top line of Patrick Kane, Joanathon Toews and Patrick Sharp. They combined for four points and six shots on the night.

Much more than that though, was the way they controlled the action every shift they got. It was almost as if the Hawks were on a powerplay when the trio was on the ice, as each of them had the individual ability to get the puck through the neutral zone, which is a tall task for mere mortals.

Then, in the offensive zone, they moved so well without the puck and made such crisp, effortless tape to tape passes, that they seemingly had an excellent scoring chance every time they carried the puck over the Nashville blue line.

While I may have missed the beginning of the game, I was happy to be there for the final minute, Savard alluded to in the press conference. It was fan appreciation night at the United Center for the Hawks final home game, and the fans came out in force.

29,929 came out, filling the UC to 107% of capacity.

They showed their devotion a couple times during the third, with unprompted “Let’s go Hawks” chants, but then they stole the show with just over a minute to go.

I do not know if it was one fan or a group of fans who started it, but all of a sudden I started noticing that people were clapping and standing. I thought to myself that’s nice, but there is no way they will give a full standing ovation.

I mean, college fans do that sometimes, but not pro fans, and remember, this is the Blackhawks we’re talking about a here. A team that has been the but of more jokes in recent years in Chicagoland than even the Cubs. At least they got people in the seats regulary.

Once again, my absolute stuipidity was validated, however, as not just one section, but the entire stadium got to their feet and clapped and screamed their hearts out for their beloved Hakws. It was a moment that would have made a human who actually felt emotion cry.

I was in further disbelief, as the cheering did not stop after the game was over.

Indeed, it continued and the volume was turned up to 11, when the Hawks stood as a group in center ice and raised their sticks in appreciation.

It reached a truly feverous pitch, when Kane was later announced as the first star and skated around with his stick above the head like some cowboy.

Walking into the scene, an outsider would never have guessed the Predators were to keep playing into the postseason and the Hawks year was all but done.

They were the Champions Friday night.

Patrick Lalime summed up the story more succinctly and accurately than any writer (even a professional one who shows up on time for games] ever could, “The big story in Chicago is the fans coming back.”