November Business

Step outside on one day and everything smells like wet, rotting leaves. Go outside on another and it’s the ultimate tease, temps in the low 60’s and not a cloud in the sky. Such is November.

Liverpool Match 12 at Wigan Athletic (11/10/10):

Reds traveled to DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic, who are currently 2-5-4-10 and smack in the relegation zone. Every match is important, but especially this one for Reds, as they’ve been on an impressive run at the dawn of the NESV-Era and would like to take advantage of a struggling club. Fernando Torres put Liverpool on the board in the 7th on a nice direct pass at the top of the box from Steven Gerrard. Liverpool’s Lucas was booked in the 14th for a rough tackle and then Gerrard came back to fire a shot from Dirk Kuyt’s header on Wigan’s Ali Al Habsi that went over the bar. In the 21st, Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel shot from Raul Meireles’ cross also went too high. Wigan’s Gary Caldwell’s header in the 28th from Jordy Gomez’ cross was smartly picked by Pepe Reina.

Moving into the second half, Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega equalized in the 52nd on a shot directly out in front of Reina. The Reds’ Jamie Carragher was booked in the 58th for a rough tackle and minutes later, Wigan’s Mohamed Diamé fired a long range shot that was snared by Reina. Christian Poulsen midfielder entered for Dirk Kuyt in the 73rd.Liverpool nearly went ahead in the 79th when Gerrard’s shot from the right corner hit the bar. Nathan Eccleston then replaced Maxi Rodríguez in the 81st. Two minutes later, Reina made a great grab of Rodallega’s header from directly out front of the goal. Reds had a flurry of shots in the closing moments of the match, but Wigan’s back line held up and the match ended up in a 1-1 draw.

Liverpool Match 13 at Stoke City (11/13/10):

The last time Stoke defeated Liverpool, Woodrow Wilson was sitting in the White House. OK, not to exaggerate but it has been a long, long time since the Potters have had the better of the Reds. Ricardo Fuller put Stoke on top in the 56th and Kenwyne Jones stuck the dagger in the 90th.

Piacenza Match 14 at US Pescara (11/9/10):

Biancorossi played Pescara to a 2-2 draw at Adriatico on Tuesday the 9th. USP’s Andrea Gessa scored in the 16th and Tommaso Bianchi equalized in the 27th. Piacenza went up 2-1 on Antonio Piccolo’s goal in the 36th. The lead held all the way to the 80th, when Marco Sansovini tied the match.

Piacenza Match 15 v. Novara (11/6/10):

Piacenza fell victim once more to a last-minute goal as first-place Novara prevailed 2-1 on Cristian Bertani’s goal in the 89th. Francesco Marianini put the visitors on top with a goal in the 27th and Bertani had a penalty kick in the 36th, but was denied by Mario Cassano. Mattia Graffiedi equalized at the beginning of the second half but Bertani scored in the 89th and that was that.

Wrexham Match x v. Luton Town (11/11/10):

Andy Mangan’s goal in the 5th held up and Dragons came away with a terrific 1-0 win.

2010-11 Boston Bruins Weekly Puck Drop:

Game 12 at Pittsburgh Penguins (11/10/10):

After a few days off, the B’s hit the road for a Wednesday night date with the Penguins in their brand new digs. The B’s will be without David Krejci for a couple of weeks as he suffered a concussion during Saturday night’s overtime loss to St. Louis. The late, lamented “Igloo” had seen better days (like in 1962) and it was way past time for the Penguins to get a state-of-the-art venue. Anytime these teams get together the questions circle around the dirtiest player in the League, Matt Cooke, the scumbag who laid out Marc Savard last year.

Tim Thomas started in goal against Brent Johnson. Penguins scored at 1:05 as Aaron Asham scored on a rebound of Evgeni Malkin’s shot. The Penguins came out with high energy and had the B’s on their heels starting off. Shawn Thornton and Godard had a decent go and right off the ensuing faceoff, Gregory Campbell and Maxime Talbot mixed it up quite well; a draw in both instances. Recchi (1) tied the score at 9:31 on the power on a rebound from Wheeler’s shot as the rebound popped right at his skates and he had a wide open right corner. Asham put a dirty leg hit on Horton late in the period while Horton’s back was facing the glass. Brad Marchand put the B’s ahead 21 at 16:24 on a break down left wing and beat Johnson up high with a wrist shot. 31 seconds later, Orpik tied the score on a cross feed from Malkin.

Bergeron hit the post in the opening seconds of the second period. The Penguins played wide open and appeared to have suckered the B’s out of their controlled style by getting them to go run n’ gun. Adam McQuaid and Asham had a serious go early in the period. McQuaid had a substantial reach advantage, but Asham appeared to have the better of the fight. Midway through the period, Caron rang one off the crossbar but the Penguins had generally taken the B’s out of their game and into a wide open pinball style. (The Bruins can’t win in that fashion; they need to forecheck more effectively and control the tempo).

The B’s went on the power play after Brooks Orpik was called for interference but the Penguins had the best chance while shorthanded. The Pens went back on top at 15:44 as Chris Kunitz scored on a rebound out in front of Thomas. Lucic was then checked into the Penguins’ bench and the crowd roared their approval. Penguins went on the power play with less than two minutes remaining as Caron was called for hooking as the Pens pressed the action in the B’s zone. Malkin scored on a perfect pass from Crosby at 19:37 and it was suddenly 4-2.

With a two-goal lead, the Penguins dialed down the energy at the beginning of the third and played at a more controlled pace. Nathan Horton (7) made it 3-2 at 3:49 when he took a pass from Seidenberg behind the net, swung around and fired a wrist shot into a crowd and the puck found its way behind Johnson. Chara scored just 15 seconds later as he led the rush on a 3-on 2 and flipped the puck past Johnson. After the B’s scored the tying goal, the pace became frenetic once more. Malkin inadvertently collided with Thornton and got the worst of it. Midway through the period, Thomas stoned Kennedy cold on a 2-on-1 break. Shawn Thornton (3) put the B’s on top 5-4 at 12:40 when he broke with Marchand on a 2-on-1 and beat Johnson high with a wrist shot. Malkin was robbed by Thomas after he skated through two B’s defenders and Campbell went off for a slash. Blake Wheeler (2) scored at 16:13 on a great forcheck and steal of the puck deep in the corner. He stole the puck, wheeled (no pun intended) around and stuffed the puck past Johnson’s short side. The Penguins pulled Johnson with 90 seconds left and Lucic scored with 25 seconds left on an empty net to make it 7-4, B’s. What a terrific third period of play by them B’s!

Game 13 v. Montréal Canadiens (11/11/10):

The B’s had no time to savor the comeback win in Pittsburgh as they flew home to face first-place Les Canadiens at the Garden on Thursday night. Tuukka Rask started against Carey Price. After a dull start by both sides, Seguin was called for tripping at 5:00 and P.K. Subban scored at 5:19 on the power play on a one-timer blast that beat Rask on the short side. Canadiens worked the puck beautifully in the B’s end and Mike Cammileri found Subban wide open at the left point and Subban never hesitated. B’s went on the power play at 6:41 as Hamrlik was called for roughing, but they could only muster one shot on goal. Subban made a great play in the B’s end, holding the puck and out-muscling two defenders before putting a shot on Rask. The boo-birds were letting the B’s have it, as Canadiens dominated possession while the B’s were playing the dump n’ chase. Chara (4) tied the score at 15:49 when the B’s (finally) pressed the action in the Habs’ end and Chara came up into the zone and picked a rebound and fired it high and behind Price. Adam McQuaid was called for roughing at 16:22, but the B’s held tight and didn’t allow any shots on Rask. Canadiens dominated possession for most of the period, but the B’s rebounded well in the latter half and established some success with their usual style.

The B’s had an early power play, but Price stopped the three or four chances the B’s produced. Price made a very nice save off of Thornton’s wrist shot out front. A scrum ensued in front of Price and Thornton, Campbell and Markov were sent off for roughing at 7:38. Kostistyn went off at 9:16 for elbowing McQuaid, but Thornton went right back into the box for interference on a highly questionable call as it appeared as if Hamrlik crashed into him. After the B’s killed off the brief power play, Rask then made a really nice stop of Darche’s blast from the point. Jeff Halpern appeared to have put Habs on top at 15:25 but ended up kicking in the puck “with a distinct kicking motion” with his left skate and the goal was waved off. Chara was called for interference on Pouliot at 19:52 setting up Canadiens up with nearly a full power play to open the third period.

Brian Gionta put Habs up at 0:29 of the third as he batted in a floating pass from Cammilieri behind Rask’s far side. Habs picked up an insurance goal as Scott Gomez banged in a rebound of Kostistyn’s shot at 10:30. The B’s pulled Rask with about a minute left but it didn’t matter, as they were outplayed by Canadiens on this night. Back to the drawing board…

Game 14 v. Ottawa Senators (11/13/10):

After Thursday night’s listless loss at the hands of Canadiens, Coach Julien kept the troops off the ice on Friday to recover from back-to-back nights of playing. Brian Elliott got the call in net for the Sens against Tim Thomas. The B’s went on the power play at 13 seconds as Chris Phillips went off for slashing. Ruutu nearly scored on the shorthand as the Sens’ PK unit had a rush and did a great job, never allowing the B’s to get beyond the perimeter. Spezza then broke toward the goal and fired a shot that Thomas kicked away. Chara and Neil had a go that never went too far as Chara stumbled on a loose stick and lost his balance. Jordan Caron went off for interference at 6:27, but the PK unit took care of business, including a 2-on-1 break and a couple of shots that Elliott knocked away. Ottawa scored at 9:34 when Erik Karlsson scored on a slap shot right off the draw in the B’s end. Campbell then broke in on a pass from Seguin, but Karlsson came back to sweep the puck out of danger. In the closing seconds of the period, Lucic leveled Gonchar with a body check as he skated up ice with the puck, but that was the lone highlight of the period for the B’s.

The B’s had their first sustained pressure of the game six minutes into the second, as they flooded the Sens’ zone but couldn’t get the puck past Elliott. They would’ve scored the tying goal on Bergeron’s short side shot, but Wheeler dove after the rebound and inadvertently knocked in the puck with his hand (next time, use your stick). Ottawa went back on the power play midway through and Caron had a great shorthanded bid that Elliott turned aside, and then the B’s followed with a 2-on-1 as the PK unit had another great turn. The B’s then crashed the Sens’ goal without success and there was some of the usual pushing and shoving going on behind the net. Although they had no goals to show for their efforts, the B’s did play with greater intensity in that period.

Thornton’s shot early on rang off the post as the B’s kept up their intensity from the second, but the Sens got a lucky break when Alfredsson scored at 4:15 on a bad bounce of Michalek’s shot in front of Thomas. Midway through the period, Elliott made a spectacular stop on Thornton’s shot directly out in front of the net, it was the stop of the night. Grandpa Recchi took on Campoli at center ice, and the old man took down the kid, amazing! It was Recchi’s first major in seven years. Ruuttu and Ryder were then sent off on minors for a little rough stuff at Ottawa’s blue line. The B’s pulled Thomas, but an icing call frustrated that and the B’s were shut out and (fairly or unfairly) were booed off the ice by the angry sellout crowd.

Gridiron Time:

UFL Hartford Colonials Week 9/Game 7 at Florida Tuskers (11/11/10):

Even for a AAA football team, this was a humiliating and disturbing defeat as the Tuskers buried Hartford in last place to stay by a 41-7 final. How bad was it? Try 38-0 at halftime. The Colonials turned over the ball five (count ‘em, five) times as Tuskers’ quarterback Chris Griesen threw for two touchdowns and Domenic Rhodes rushed for over 100 yards. The lone bright spot for the Colonials was quarterback Ryan Perriloux’ 12-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter. Nothing to see here, so let’s move along…

Harvard Crimson Game 9 at Pennsylvania (11/13/10):

10 Saturdays
10,000 Men
1 Team

Whenever the Crimson travel to venerable Franklin Field in Philly, it’s very much like when the Sox went to the old Yankee Stadium or the B’s went to the old Montréal Forum: It’s a HOUSE OF HORRORS. This year’s trip proved no different as Harvard kissed off any hopes of a share of the Ivy Title as they were blasted off the field by Penn, 34-14.

On the Quakers’ first drive, Billy Ragone moved the offense all the way to Harvard’s 30, where they attempted a fourth-and-2 rush that failed. The Crimson went three n’ out on their opening drive. Penn again moved the ball down to the Crimson’s 33 before electing to punt rather than try a field goal. The Crimson were hamstrung by penalties and an inability to run the ball and ended up punting away. The Crimson had somewhat better going the next time around as they pushed the ball to Penn’s 41 before punting out.

Penn started out the second quarter at Harvard’s 46 following a 15-yard run by Brandon Colavita. Three plays later, Harvard made a critical blunder when Dan Minamide fumbled Lopano’s punt at the 9, setting up the Quakers with a first-and-goal. Ragone took three cracks at the end zone before Andrew Sampson knocked in a 19-yard field goal to give Penn a 3-0 lead. Midway through the quarter, the Crimson moved the ball down to Penn’s 22, where David Mothander’s field goal attempt was blocked with Penn recovering at the 38. From there, Ragone rushed for 25, hit Ryan Calvert for another 25 and then Colavita rushed it in from the 2 to put the Quakers up 10-0. The Crimson once more pushed the ball into Penn territory before Collier Winters was sacked at midfield, forcing another punt.

Moving into the third quarter, Harvard’s listless offense punted out and Penn scored again, as Ragone hit Jeff Jack on a 25-yard touchdown and the rout was on at 17-0. On the Quakers’ next drive, Samson hit a 45-yard field goal to make it 20-0. To make matters worse, Penn marched down the field on their next drive and Ragone carried in from the 6 to make it 27-0 and the official start of garbage time.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Crimson had the ball at Penn’s 35 before Winters heaved one into the end zone and was intercepted by Josh Powers. The Crimson finally got on the board early in the quarter as Winters hit Mike Cook on a 31-yard touchdown pass. But Penn answered right back as Colavita rushed for a 35-yard touchdown to make it 34-7. The Crimson kept trying (and failing) as Winters marched the offense down to the Penn 12 before getting intercepted by Matt Hamscher. Late in the game, the Crimson took over after a punt at midfield, where new quarterback Colton Chapple completed a 25-yard passs to Nicolai Schwarzkopf at the 3. From there, Gino Gordon carried in to make the score 34-14. In their only miscue of the day, Penn fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Crimson tried one last (and futile) attempt to score, but Chapple’s rush on 4th-and-7 at Penn’s 36 fell short. It was just another long and lousy afternoon in the House of Horrors for the Crimson.

Illegitimum Non Carborundum.

Saskatchewan Roughriders Western Semi-Final v. British Columbia Lions (11/14/10):

The Riders pulled out an absolutely thrilling overtime win over the Lions after Travis Lulay threw a game-tying touchdown pass for BC with :00 left on the clock.

It was a cold (-2/28°), icy and slippery day in Regina as the teams took the field as Mosaic was literally a sea of green. The Riders won the toss and Ryan Grice-Mullen returned the opening kick to the 51. Darian Durant was sacked on second down and a promising chance went by the boards. Lulay immediately moved the BC offense out to the 35, but they also had to punt out on their opening drive. Wes Cated carried up the middle for 20 on the Riders’ next drive, but it was for naught as Durant over threw Dressler and Eddie Johnson punted away with BC taking over at their 15. Lulay hit Danny Arceneaux for a first down and then Jamaal Robertson carried for 8 but was denied on a rush attempt for the first. Dressler picked up a big gain on a pass from Durant, moving the ball inside BC’s 40. Durant was hauled down at the 35, but Warren Kean’s field goal attempt was wide right and BC conceded the single. On BC’s next drive, Lulay was stripped of the ball and the Riders recovered at the 20. where Kean kicked a field goal to give the Riders a 4-0 lead. BC moved the ball to midfield on a passes from Lulay to Jackson and Black. McCallum then banged in a 52-yard field goal to put BC on the board in the final seconds of the quarter.

The Riders started out their second drive of the quarter at the 35. Fantuz made a great catch and run but fumbled and BC recovered. However, a roughing the passer call against BC negated the turnover and the Riders took advantage, moving the ball inside the 20. From there, Kean kicked his second field goal to put the Riders up 7-3. Lulay then led BC’s offense down field and hit Stephen Black wide open in the end zone from the 20 to put the Lions on top 10-7. Durant brought out the Riders’ offense at the 35, but Dressler lost 7 yards on a swing pass that went awry and the Riders ended up punting away. Davis then ripped off a long punt return down to the Riders’ 34. After the three minute warning, McCallum kicked a 37-yard field goal to put BC ahead, 13-7. After the Riders went two n’ out, BC got the ball back at the 45 with more than two minutes left. On second down, Lulay connected with Jackson on the right sideline down at the 19. A holding call on second set the ball back to the 29. After a gain fell short of a first down, McCallum kicked his third field goal to make it 16-7. Incredibly, BC got the ball back inside the final minute and moved the ball into Riders’ territory, but couldn’t make it past the 45. Durant then took a knee and the Riders went into the locker room looking to regroup from a pretty lousy effort in the first half.

Grice-Mullen returned the second half kickoff back out to the 45. Durant hit Dressler for 9 on the first play. After a pass incompletion on second down, Durant carried on third down to pick up the first. Durant was then sacked by Williams and the Riders punted away. Johnson’s punt trapped BC inside their 10. Robertson then ripped off right tackle for nearly 40 yards. On the next play, Lulay scrambled down to the Riders’ 45. After falling short of another first down, McCallum knocked in his fourth field goal and the Lions were ahead, 19-7. On the Riders’ next series, Durant found Koch over the middle at midfield as it appeared as though the offense was finally getting untracked. A pass interference penalty against BC negated what looked like an interception by Donte Marsh. From the 40, Durant scrambled up the middle for 12. From the 20, the Riders went for it on 3rd-and-less than a yard. Durant picked up the first down on a keeper. From there, Durant found Cates on the right side line at the 5. On second down, Durant hit Dressler on a slant for the touchdown, and with Kean’s point after, the Riders were back in the game, down by only 5. The Riders forced BC to punt out on their next series and regained possession at the 49. On the final play of the quarter, Durant connected with Koch over the middle at BC’s 32.

On second down, Jason Clermont made a nice catch and run down the right sideline to the 16. From there, Kean kicked a field goal to tighten things at 19-17. Lulay hit Arceneaux on a curl to pick up a first down at the Riders’ 45, but they got no further and the Lions had to punt away. On the Riders next drive, Durant hit Dressler on a 75-yard touchdown pass. Dressler streaked down the left sideline and was wide open when he caught the ball at the 15, made one juke to the right and ran untouched into the end zone to put the Riders ahead 24-20. On BC’s next drive, Robertson carried for a first down at the 48, and then Lulay hit Geroy Simon on the left sideline for 9. With third and inches, Jarious Jackson came in at quarterback to run the short yardage package and carried for a first down. On second and 10, Lulay was picked by Frazier, who returned the ball back to the 28. After the Riders picked up a quick first down, the drive fizzled at the 18 and Kean kicked a 25-yard field goal to put the Riders ahead by a touchdown at 27-20. BC’s Davis returned the ensuing kickoff back to the 40, setting up the Lions in good shape but he drive went nowhere. Dressler returned the ensuing punt to the 37, where Durant connected with Fantuz for 6, but Durant threw the next pass away. BC got the ball back with 1:39 left on the clock. Robertson picked uo 6 on a swing pass out of the backfield and then Lulay hit Jackson over the middle for a first down. The 13th Man at that point was deafening. But Lulay hit Black over the middle for 23 and Black again down at the Riders’ 30. On 3rd-and-10 with seven seconds left, chucked a desperation pass into the end zone and Arceneaux leaped and came down with the ball in the end zone with---:00 left on the clock!

On to overtime (Similar to NCAA rules): The Riders got first crack at the 35, where Durant hit Clermont at the 18, From the 10, Koch picked up a first down at the 5 on a curl. A pass interference call against BC’s Banks put the ball at the 1. From there, Cates banged it in and then Andy Fantuz picked up the two-point conversion on a slant pass. On BC’s first try, Lulay scrambled up the middle for 4. A time-count violation set the ball back but Lulay found Arceneaux on the left sideline at the 18. On second-and-goal from the 5, Lulay scrambled around right end and into the end zone. It was nearly impossible for Lulay to hear over the crowd, but he was able to hit Simon in the end zone to tie the score at 35. On BC’s next crack, McCallum kicked a field goal to give BC a 38-35 lead, leaving it up ti the Riders’ offense to get some points or go home empty handed. Durant hit Getzlaf on the left flat at the 20. On first down, Duarant hit Clermont over the middle and Clermont took it in from there for an absolutely thrilling overtime win.