Saturday, November 27, 2004
SAT ON
Here's the stuff for Saturday morning. Let it be known that the Marvin Williams Watch (though not in the piece this morning) is held in much higher regard than the Jerome James Watch. With James, I'm just waiting and waiting for him to actually do something. Of course, I could be waiting for a long time, and I know that. So it's kind of a sarcastic thing, really.
MARINERS
Finnigan. Apparently Bob says that multiyear offers have been made by the Mariners to both Carlos Delgado and Richie Sexson. Why get both of them? Apparently their rationale is to ask Sexson to play some left field "much of the time." I like Sexson and everything, but is it just me or is this just about the worst idea I've heard in a long time? Sexson hasn't played leftfield with any regularity since the 2000 season before the Bob Wickman trade sent him to Milwaukee, which makes this almost reek of the Scott Spiezio situation, sans the "clutch" factor. Also at issue is the fact that Finnigan says the Mariners have $16M available to spend on free agents, a figure which I know other blogs will be blasting in the morning.
SEAHAWKS
Hey, it's time to be afraid! The Buffalo Bills have the NFL's 4th-best defense, and the Seahawks might start a gimpy quarterback who isn't confident in his receivers. Granted, one of them is serving a suspension for the next four weeks, but there's still Darrell Jackson who has some drops in his past. Still, if the Seahawks manage to roll when Koren's out, I imagine the effect of Koren coming back after the suspension will be eerily like Joey Galloway coming back to that Jon Kitna team after they'd gotten off to the hot start without him. Clare Farnsworth says that the Seahawks won't be able to make Shaun Alexander run wild since the Bills have the tape of the Miami game (agreed), and that the Seahawks will have to hit Jackson and Rice on quick slants, and will have to brush up on the screen passes again. It's Week 12 in the NFL season...why is the ability to get off a screen play even an issue? This team is infuriating sometimes, it really is.
Somehow, though, like the Farnsworth article on Hasselbeck says, there's a real possibility the Rams could lose in Green Bay on Monday night. If the Seahawks pull off the win like they should, they could have a two-game lead in the division again. In a way, the fact that the Seahawks even have a chance to do this right now almost isn't fair, considering their state.
SONICS
One non-Sonic note here, and that's the 96-91 win over Oklahoma to advance to the final of the Great Alaska Shootout. They will face Alabama. Great nights all around for Jamaal Williams and Nate Robinson, the latter of whom has a highlight-reel dunk that managed to get on the ESPN highlight reel.
For my take on the Sonic game, scroll to the post below this one or click here.
Danny Fortson's effort held Alonzo Mourning to eight points and helped the Sonics fill the void created by Ray Allen's horrible night from the floor. The Sonics are now 12-2 on the season and are undefeated at home. Also, thank goodness the Nets are a crappy team. They've lost eight straight for a reason, and it's still good to see the Sonics take care of business. Once again, I'm hoping the Sonics don't get Joey Galloway'd if and when Ron Murray comes back.
Lastly, Les Carpenter chimes in. It's not Gary Payton's team anymore. Ray Allen has learned a thing or two about leadership, and it seems to be working so far this year. As Les says in the article, Ray's bringing more than just a jump shot these days.
HOCKEY
Repercussions were levied in reaction to an unplanned full moon in the hockey world early this month. Dan Sullivan of the Reading Royals will be out 12 games and a sum of money.
Now, the games...
Everett beat Medicine Hat, 4-2. The Silvertips doubled up the defending WHL champs thanks to goals by Zach Hamill, Karel Hromas, Ryan Blatchford, and Mitch Love. Hamill's goal came in the first period, Hromas and Blatchford scored in the second, and Love scored in the third. Brady Calla set a team record by having a plus-8 night, and goalie Mike Wall turned away 32 of 34 shots by the Tigers. Calla and Shaun Heshka had two assists each.
Tri-City beat Portland, 6-5 in overtime. The Americans and Winter Hawks were shut out a combined five times in their last seven games (against other teams), setting the stage for this offensive explosion. Portland rallied from down 5-2 to tie the game and force overtime. The Winter Hawks rattled off the first 12 shots of the game, with none finding the back of the net thanks to possible NHL-bound goalie Carey Price. Alex Aldred scored the game's first goal to give Portland an early 1-0 lead. Tri-City reeled off the next three goals in the second period, though, and Portland had to regroup, but not before giving up another goal to make it 4-1. Brandon Dubinsky and Cody McLeod sandwiched another Tri-City goal to make it 5-3 after 40 minutes. Cameron Cepek and Brian Woolger (with :31 left in regulation) scored to tie it before the Americans' Juraj Gracik banged home the rebound to win the game in overtime.
Vancouver beat Regina, 5-2. Adam Courchaine scored twice and had an assist en route to a fairly dominating Vancouver victory over the Pats. Andrej Meszaros, Matt Robinson, and Ty Morris had two assists each for the Giants, who peppered Regina's netminders for 40 shots. Meanwhile, Vancouver goalie Marek Schwarz pulled out the Barcalounger in front of his net, and found time to stop 8 of the total 10 shots he faced. Check out that boxscore for the penalty summary, because it's 225 minutes' worth, culminating when Regina goalie Dustin Slade slashed Triston Grant one too many times, and Grant went after the goalie. Don't look now, but the Giants have won three straight after their stretch of hell earlier in the month.
Upcoming...
Tonight: Medicine Hat at Seattle, Calgary at Portland, Milwaukee at Manitoba
Sunday: Calgary at Everett, Medicine Hat at Vancouver, Milwaukee at Manitoba
---
Have a great Saturday everyone. Finish that pumpkin pie.
MARINERS
Finnigan. Apparently Bob says that multiyear offers have been made by the Mariners to both Carlos Delgado and Richie Sexson. Why get both of them? Apparently their rationale is to ask Sexson to play some left field "much of the time." I like Sexson and everything, but is it just me or is this just about the worst idea I've heard in a long time? Sexson hasn't played leftfield with any regularity since the 2000 season before the Bob Wickman trade sent him to Milwaukee, which makes this almost reek of the Scott Spiezio situation, sans the "clutch" factor. Also at issue is the fact that Finnigan says the Mariners have $16M available to spend on free agents, a figure which I know other blogs will be blasting in the morning.
SEAHAWKS
Hey, it's time to be afraid! The Buffalo Bills have the NFL's 4th-best defense, and the Seahawks might start a gimpy quarterback who isn't confident in his receivers. Granted, one of them is serving a suspension for the next four weeks, but there's still Darrell Jackson who has some drops in his past. Still, if the Seahawks manage to roll when Koren's out, I imagine the effect of Koren coming back after the suspension will be eerily like Joey Galloway coming back to that Jon Kitna team after they'd gotten off to the hot start without him. Clare Farnsworth says that the Seahawks won't be able to make Shaun Alexander run wild since the Bills have the tape of the Miami game (agreed), and that the Seahawks will have to hit Jackson and Rice on quick slants, and will have to brush up on the screen passes again. It's Week 12 in the NFL season...why is the ability to get off a screen play even an issue? This team is infuriating sometimes, it really is.
Somehow, though, like the Farnsworth article on Hasselbeck says, there's a real possibility the Rams could lose in Green Bay on Monday night. If the Seahawks pull off the win like they should, they could have a two-game lead in the division again. In a way, the fact that the Seahawks even have a chance to do this right now almost isn't fair, considering their state.
SONICS
One non-Sonic note here, and that's the 96-91 win over Oklahoma to advance to the final of the Great Alaska Shootout. They will face Alabama. Great nights all around for Jamaal Williams and Nate Robinson, the latter of whom has a highlight-reel dunk that managed to get on the ESPN highlight reel.
For my take on the Sonic game, scroll to the post below this one or click here.
Danny Fortson's effort held Alonzo Mourning to eight points and helped the Sonics fill the void created by Ray Allen's horrible night from the floor. The Sonics are now 12-2 on the season and are undefeated at home. Also, thank goodness the Nets are a crappy team. They've lost eight straight for a reason, and it's still good to see the Sonics take care of business. Once again, I'm hoping the Sonics don't get Joey Galloway'd if and when Ron Murray comes back.
Lastly, Les Carpenter chimes in. It's not Gary Payton's team anymore. Ray Allen has learned a thing or two about leadership, and it seems to be working so far this year. As Les says in the article, Ray's bringing more than just a jump shot these days.
HOCKEY
Repercussions were levied in reaction to an unplanned full moon in the hockey world early this month. Dan Sullivan of the Reading Royals will be out 12 games and a sum of money.
Now, the games...
Everett beat Medicine Hat, 4-2. The Silvertips doubled up the defending WHL champs thanks to goals by Zach Hamill, Karel Hromas, Ryan Blatchford, and Mitch Love. Hamill's goal came in the first period, Hromas and Blatchford scored in the second, and Love scored in the third. Brady Calla set a team record by having a plus-8 night, and goalie Mike Wall turned away 32 of 34 shots by the Tigers. Calla and Shaun Heshka had two assists each.
Tri-City beat Portland, 6-5 in overtime. The Americans and Winter Hawks were shut out a combined five times in their last seven games (against other teams), setting the stage for this offensive explosion. Portland rallied from down 5-2 to tie the game and force overtime. The Winter Hawks rattled off the first 12 shots of the game, with none finding the back of the net thanks to possible NHL-bound goalie Carey Price. Alex Aldred scored the game's first goal to give Portland an early 1-0 lead. Tri-City reeled off the next three goals in the second period, though, and Portland had to regroup, but not before giving up another goal to make it 4-1. Brandon Dubinsky and Cody McLeod sandwiched another Tri-City goal to make it 5-3 after 40 minutes. Cameron Cepek and Brian Woolger (with :31 left in regulation) scored to tie it before the Americans' Juraj Gracik banged home the rebound to win the game in overtime.
Vancouver beat Regina, 5-2. Adam Courchaine scored twice and had an assist en route to a fairly dominating Vancouver victory over the Pats. Andrej Meszaros, Matt Robinson, and Ty Morris had two assists each for the Giants, who peppered Regina's netminders for 40 shots. Meanwhile, Vancouver goalie Marek Schwarz pulled out the Barcalounger in front of his net, and found time to stop 8 of the total 10 shots he faced. Check out that boxscore for the penalty summary, because it's 225 minutes' worth, culminating when Regina goalie Dustin Slade slashed Triston Grant one too many times, and Grant went after the goalie. Don't look now, but the Giants have won three straight after their stretch of hell earlier in the month.
Upcoming...
Tonight: Medicine Hat at Seattle, Calgary at Portland, Milwaukee at Manitoba
Sunday: Calgary at Everett, Medicine Hat at Vancouver, Milwaukee at Manitoba
---
Have a great Saturday everyone. Finish that pumpkin pie.
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