So Much Sports!

I've been MIA this week mostly because I've been avoiding spending time at a computer, but also because there's just so much going on! From the Winter Classic, to an endless stream of bowl games, to the upcoming NFL playoffs, to the World Junior Hockey tournament, it's been fun and exciting to stay in and watch sports!

Where to begin? How about with the World Junior game between Canada and the USA on new years eve? I managed to turn the game on with the US ahead 1-0 and just about to double their lead. A short time later they made it 3-0 and I thought the Canadians were cooked. But instead of tighten up their defense and move on to the semis, the American kids skated by the Canadian bench taunting them, giving Pat Quinn a rallying cry for the troops. What followed was the most exciting 20 minutes of hockey I recall seeing in a long time as Canada popped three quick ones to tie it, then took the lead with another just 37 seconds into the second period. After the US tied it up again, Canada managed a fifth goal before the middle of the second to lead 5-4. That lead would hold up the rest of the way until Tavares and Ennis added empty net goals in the final minute. The win sends Canada to the semifinals where they await the winner of tonight's Russia-Czech Republic game. Meanwhile, the US have just lost to the Slovaks in the other quarterfinal match. I was interested in watching the US goalie this week since he's property of the Red Wings. While you can't put too much weight on just a couple of games, he didn't look overly impressive against Canada and he gave up three goals on the first seven shots against the Slovaks. That certainly wasn't enough to help his team win or to get me excited about the prospect of seeing him in a Detroit jersey anytime soon.

In bowl game news, I haven't actually watched much, but was disappointed in watching another USC blowout in the Rose Bowl yesterday. It's hard to believe that was the same team that blew its season by losing to Oregon State back in October (the same OSU who beat Pitt 3-0 in a boring Sun Bowl). If USC hadn't had a remarkably terrible first half in Corvallis, they would have gotten through the season undefeated and looked like odds on favourites to win the championship. Instead, because of 30 bad minutes of play three months ago, they have no opportunity to be the national champs. I can certainly understand why Pete Carroll is becoming an advocate for a playoff. His teams seem to be the best every January, but blow one early each year. After that performance yesterday, I think they could beat Florida or Oklahoma who will face each other next Thursday.

The Winter Classic in Chicago yesterday morning was definitely a game worth getting up early for, despite the previous evening of too much wine. It was fun to watch Wrigley Field transformed into a hockey environment and to watch an up and coming Blackhawks team try to face down the Red Wings. After getting out to a quick 3-1 start though, the Hawks looked terribly overmatched as Detroit piled on with five straight goals, one of which was a beautiful rush between the defense by Datsyuk. In the few games I've gotten to watch this year, it was the first time Datsyuk looked to me like the unstoppable force he was through the playoffs last year. While I'm a little concerned about how laid back Detroit's play has been at times this year, when they've had to play big like in divisional games with Chicago, or the game against San Jose two weeks ago, they've stepped it up and been the better team on the ice each time. I just hope they continue to find that next level as the season winds down and they head into the playoffs in April.

Finally, the NFL playoffs begin this weekend with four games the will put the "wild" into Wild Card weekend. I don't think there has ever been a time when none of the home teams were favoured in this round of the playoffs, yet as I look through the matchups, I see all four home teams going down. Saturday will kick off with Atlanta going into Arizona where they should have no trouble beating a Cardinals team that just doesn't belong in the playoffs. The late game Saturday will be Peyton Manning and Co. trying to win in San Diego for the second time this year and I believe that he'll be successful. Sunday will begin with the Baltimore Ravens travelling to Miami and beating an overachieving Dolphins team. And Sunday will wrap up with the Eagles knocking off a Minnesota team who haven't even managed to sell enough tickets to avoid a local TV blackout. It seems that they're fans don't have a lot of hope of victory either!

Welcome to 2009! It's a fun time to be a sports fan.