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The Montreal Canadiens have taken the Pittsburgh Penguins to seven games in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs — who will win?

Game Seven Preview

I’ve been a fan of the Stanley Cup playoffs since they went to a four-round, seven-game format. It is the greatest test of endurance in pro sports–grueling, unpredictable and exciting.

If the NHL would address several problems that have stunted the game’s appeal, the sport could rival football in terms of pure excitement…
Continue Reading Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins – Stanley Cup Playoffs

When undrafted rookie free agent Bill Noethlich signed a contract with Minnesota Vikings, he overcame a string of personal tragedies that would devastate anybody.

Hard Work and Football Paying Off

I really enjoy posting my Sports Bright articles. With so much negative news in the world of sports (Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger)–not to mention in the world at large–it’s a joy to write about positive stories.

I enjoy my Sports Bright articles so much that I usually post them immediately, jumping them to the front of the line. To put that in perspective, I have one story idea about the difference between American and European attitudes toward and participation in female team sports that I’ve been pondering since the Vancouver Olympic Games, and I have yet to delve into the 2010 baseball season–and hardball is my absolute favorite of sports.
Continue Reading Sports Bright: Bill Noethlich Minnesota Vikings – NFL

Big Ben Roethlisberger deserves his ridicule and much legitimate criticism, but stop calling him a rapist.

Ben’s Suspension of Disbelief

For his idiotic, selfish, and classless behavior Big Ben Roethlisberger deserves all the ridicule and legitimate criticism he gets.

He made the Steelers look awful, but the Rooneys made themselves look worse by not trading him. The “Steeler Way” no longer has the look of a pristine black and bumblebee yellow brick road. Its bricks are red from embarrassment, uneven from the truth time demands, and broken from the hard wheels of self-inflicted abuse.

If you don’t believe me, read this article: Continue Reading Big Ben Roethlisberger Rape Allegations Just That – NFL Football

Deep Into Sports reflects on the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Just Another Stanley Cup Playoff Upset

The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs finished tonight in grand fashion with the Montreal Canadiens–who came into the post-season tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the lowest point total (88) of any playoff team–upsetting the Presidents’ Trophy winning Washington Capitols in Game 7 after being down in the series three games to one.

Considering that the NHL was a league bordering on extinction after the 2004-2005 lockout, exciting playoff series should help hockey continue to build on its momentum from the Vancouver Olympic Games. As a hockey fan, I hope that translates to higher NHL ticket sales next season; television ratings already saw a bump this year (tickets tend to lag behind TV, especially in a down economy).

But getting back to the just completed series… Continue Reading Stanley Cup Playoffs – NHL Hockey

[Editors Note: This is largely a reprint--readers' comments included--of the 2009 A-Time, All-Universe Draft. The crack draft staff at Deep Into Sports will continue to pander to our extremely talented audience until we have gathered a full class of 32 of the best picks.]

The 2010 All-Time, All-Universe Draft

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Gene Collier is that rare American sports columnist. He can make you laugh so hard you snort your coffee out your nose. I speak from experience.

His work should be a textbook for any serious writer, blogger, or sports fan.

His columns can be found here:
http://www.post-gazette.com/search/archive.asp?cCat=150
Or here:
http://www.post-gazette.com

Gene’s one-man play co-authored with Rob Zeller, called “The Chief”– dramatizing the life story of Art Rooney, founder of the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers–can be purchased here:
http://www.upress.pitt.edu/BookDetails.aspx?bookId=35944

Mr. Collier is also a frequent guest on WDVE 102.5 FM, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ flagship radio station.

One morning he recounted a little known event that occurred during a lull in a late ’80s NFL draft, before ESPN created the media event it is today.

Seems a bunch of sports writers with nothing better to do devised the first-ever All Time, All Universe Draft, pretending the human experience were a sports league of its own.

Each writer agreed to assume the mantle of a General Manager, which meant each sports scribe turned “GM” had to act as if he were responsible, successful, intelligent and worldly and possessed more important knowledge than Peyton Manning’s career completion percentage or Tom Brady’s shoe size.

A Herculean task, but these were courageous men and women.

The rules, as they were then, are simple: The “GM” may choose anyone–dead or alive–for his or her team, but the selector must provide a rationale as to why the pick is necessary and/or explain what qualities the “player” brings to the table.

The Deep Into Sports Draft Team anchored by OSCAR NUTT and Draft Guru, CHESTER HIPE will provide written commentary from DIS Headquarters deep in the bowels of Burbank, California. Their commentary will appear in “italicized quotes” throughout.

The never venerable Gary Porpora will serve as Commissioner of the Human Experience League, (HEL).

Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2008 HEL Draft kicks off with the first pick from Detroit Lions GM Gene Collier:
Continue Reading 2010 All-Time, All-Universe Draft – NFL Football