By Jim Coffman

It could be worse.
But for a highly unusual two-goal rally in the third period of Game 1, the Hawks could be trailing the Bruins 3-0. Instead they are down 2-1 after losing their fourth straight Game 3 (!) in these playoffs.
Through three games, the Bruins are simply better.
What happens the vast majority of times this Bruins team gets a lead was on display last night. The Hawks generated some scoring chances in the third period (how did Bryan Bickell’s shot in the last minute not go off the post and in?) but not nearly enough. And Tuukka Rask and the best defensive corps in hockey put the finishing touches on a 2-0 victory, Rask’s third shutout of the playoffs.
“The Bruins are playing better defense than the 2003-04 Patriots,” Dan Shaughnessy writes in the Boston Globe.

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Posted on June 18, 2013

By Steve Rhodes

The Brewers are having an even worse season than the Cubs – well, half a game worse at this point – but they’re having a lot more fun.
For example, our very own Marty Gangler points out that this Sunday is Polish Guy Bobblehead Day.
The Cubs, on the other hand, will celebrate Edwin Jackson Bobblehead Day on Saturday.
And in July, the Brewers will host Zubazpalooza
The Cubs will have The PrivateBank Tote Bag Night.
Here are some promotions we’d prefer to see instead:

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Posted on June 17, 2013

By Roger Wallenstein

The White Sox got lucky Saturday night.
Sure, they lost again on the road to the awful Houston Astros. And the game’s final play set a Sox 2013 “first” when it comes to unique and sad maneuvers to close out all hope in yet another one-run loss. Pinch runner Jordan Danks, representing the tying run, got himself picked off second base by closer Jose Veras to end the 4-3 game.
So what’s lucky about that?
At least no one was watching.
Danks picked a fortuitous time to lose his concentration. Just as he was being called out, the Blackhawks and Bruins were heading toward overtime in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. So Danks and his mates were able to blow another one in virtual anonymity.

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Posted on June 17, 2013

Paging Glenn Beck And Mike Ditka!

“The Boston Bruins were on the ice in the first period Saturday night, but they weren’t exactly skating at the same frenetic, fantastic pace as the Chicago Blackhawks,” Dan Rosen writes for NHL.com.

“It looked like they had more guys out there than we did,” Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask said. “They were pouncing on every single puck in front of net, had a lot of chances. We definitely played pretty bad. But, you know, it was good that we were only down by one and regrouped after that.”

“Rask made 18 saves in the first period to keep Boston in the game. The Bruins slowed the pace and established the style they wanted to play in the second period before winning 2-1 in overtime in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at United Center.
“The Bruins tied the game on Chris Kelly’s first goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs late in the second and kept it that way into overtime, when they had several dangerous chances before Daniel Paille finally won it with a shot from the left side at 13:48.”
The NHL didn’t have Paille mic’d like they had Andrew Shaw the other night, but they did have Tyler Seguin mic’d, and he got the assist on the game-winning goal.

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Posted on June 16, 2013

Paging Dennis Green And Mick Jagger!

“It was past the midway point of the third overtime,” NHL.com’s Dan Rosen writes.
“Wednesday night was turning into Thursday morning. Legs were wobbly, mental toughness was being challenged and physical exhaustion was the norm.
“The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins had to fight through it all to determine a winner in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Both sides figured it was going to take one of those greasy, dirty goals to end the night at United Center.

“It wasn’t going to be a pretty one,” Blackhawks center Dave Bolland said.

“He was right – and it came off the leg of a guy who typically scores ugly goals.
Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw scored a double-deflection goal off his right leg 12:08 into the third overtime to give Chicago a come-from-behind 4-3 win in triple overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.”
Raw audio:

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Posted on June 13, 2013

By Dan O’Shea

It has been about a week since reports spread like wildfire through fantasy baseball circles suggesting that MLB was close to suspending as many as 20 players in a performance-enhancing drug scandal connected to Florida’s Biogenesis Clinic. How close? Well, it hasn’t happened yet . . .
On the evening of June 4th, fantasy owners of Ryan Braun, in particular, were apoplectic, with rumors of a 100-game suspension. Likewise, a rumored 100-game suspension appeared set to wipe out any possibility that Alex Rodriguez could become the late-season sleeper that some of us believe he can be after returning from the disabled list sometime next month.
Among others reported to be caught up in the Biogenesis scandal: Bartolo Colon, who has fantasy value this year thanks to seven wins, a 3.14 ERA and 1.09 WHIP; and Everth Cabrera, the MLB leader in stolen bases. At least 15 more names have been connected with the scandal, several of them with fantasy value.
Fantasy owners spent the first few days after the initial reports considering their options – who they should pick up as replacements for suspended players, and whether they should trade away a player whose absence could cost them a league championship. So, what should you do?

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Posted on June 12, 2013

By Jim Coffman

They have a chance to stand alone, together, atop Blackhawk history.
Center Jonathan Toews and winger Patrick Kane were both in their third years in the NHL when they played pivotal roles three years ago in the winning of the Hawks’ first Stanley Cup in almost a half century.
Center Stan Mikita and left wing Bobby Hull were in their second and fourth years respectively when they were key contributors to that previous title in 1961.
Mikita and Hull went on to both score more than 500 goals for the Hawks (although the amazing Golden Jet did it in about a half-dozen fewer seasons). But they never won another Cup.

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Posted on June 11, 2013

‘It Is Highly Unlikely That Scouts Or College Recruiters Are Here’

“Finally a sign telling parents how stupid they look getting all worked up over their kids sports games.”

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Posted on June 10, 2013

By Steve Rhodes

Here’s how pathetic the Cubs have become: They are campaigning to get David DeJesus into the All-Star Game.
No disrespect toward DeJesus intended – he’s a fine player. But his greatest attribute – his on-base percentage – is lingering at .335. That’s hardly All-Star material, especially considering the rest of his lukewarm stats.
Travis Wood, with is 2.65 ERA, is the only Cub even worthy of consideration. He’s been better than Jeff Samardzija, and only one of them is likely to be chosen by National League manager Bruce Bochy.

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Posted on June 10, 2013

By Roger Wallenstein

The two little guys sitting down the right-field line on Family Sunday immediately caught my attention. There they were with identical black t-shirts bearing the number 32 on the back with the word “Dunn” unabashedly resting across their shoulders.
Sitting with their mom and dad on one of the first truly comfortable days for baseball at the Cell were Bryan, 6, and his brother Boedy, 8.
“I see you’re wearing Adam Dunn t-shirts,” I said. “Is he your favorite player?”
Both nodded affirmatively.
“Why do you like him?” I asked.

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Posted on June 10, 2013