With everything going on over the Memorial Day Weekend, it's a great time for our semi-regular feature and take a look at the 7 biggest sports stories from the weekend!
1) Niemi Says No!
-The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a 2-0 series lead over the Flyers after a thrilling 6-5 win in Game 1 and a tense 2-1 victory in Game 2. In Game 1, it was the Hawks offense led by players like Bolland, Brouwer, and Versteeg and not Kane and Toews. The depth of the 'Hawks stood out in Game 1 as they were able to outscore Philly. Then, in Game 2, it was Antti Niemi's turn to step up with several huge saves in the 3rd period to hold on to a 2-1 win. Both games took different complexions and Chicago fans have to be juiced that they were able to beat the Flyers in both an up-tempo game and a physical slugfest... and now they go on the road where they've won 7 straight games!
But, the best news for the NHL is TV ratings going up, even after last year's Stanley Cup Finals between Pittsburgh and Detroit. This news comes on the heels of record ratings for the first two rounds on Versus of all places. While the numbers won't threaten the other major sports, it is encouraging for the sport that there continues to be an increase in ratings... now if we can only bring back the glow puck! Here's Game 2...
2) Mr. Ashley Judd Wins The Indy 500
-Dario Franchitti won his 2nd Indy 500 on Sunday, using fuel mileage and a little luck with a last lap caution to emerge victorious on Sunday. Franchitti had the best car the entire race and was a very deserved winner. However, the race wasn't exactly a classic with few meaningful lead changes. Perhaps the most memorable moment came when Mike Conway had this terrifying crash on the final lap and suffered just leg and back injuries.
3) Kurt Busch Sweeps Charlotte
-The Coca-Cola 600 provided the traditional Memorial Day Sunday nightcap and it was Kurt Busch with his 2nd straight win at Charlotte after winning the All-Star Race last week. Busch sits 6th in the standings and looks on his way to making the chase. In looking at where we stand in NASCAR at the first of June, Kevin Harvick has a surprising lead at the top of the standings. Jimmie Johnson hasn't quite shown the consistent dominance as in years past, but is tied for the series lead with 3 wins. NASCAR desperately needs a competitive season and a new champion to help gain back some fans bored with the Johnson Era.
4) US On The Way To SA
-The US Soccer team won their sendoff game against Turkey 2-1 as they hit the road to South Africa. Bob Bradley played many more starters than against the Czechs, but it was a couple bench guys that shined the most - Jose Torres and Robbie Findley. Many questioned Findley's inclusion, but he helped set up the first goal and Torres played inspired two way soccer in the center of midfield during the second half. It was interesting to see the different combos that Bradley used up front - Altidore/Dempsey -> Altidore/Findley -> Dempsey/Findley. It looks like Bradley might go the Altidore/Dempsey route and use Findley's speed as a sub if needed. Nevertheless, there are still many options for the coach, and it looks like there are spots open as the US plays Australia Saturday in their last WC warmup.
5) England Names WC Squad
-Today, Fabio Capello named his squad for the World Cup. The surprise is the exclusion of winger wunderkind Theo Walcott. Thankfully, the US won't have to worry about seeing this in Rustenburg...
Walcott would have given the US a ton of trouble on the wings with their speed, but Aaron Lennon from Tottenham appears to have beat him out. Expect Steven Gerrard to be pushed wide left while Frank Lampard occupies the middle of midfield with either a fit Gareth Barry or perhaps Michael Carrick/Ledley King. The other worry for England is the 2nd striker spot where Capello picked Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, and Jermaine Defoe beside Wayne Rooney. It is a dilemma for England, much like the US - do they change their style of play and place Rooney by himself with support from Gerrard/Lampard or pair him with Crouch or Heskey? So many questions surround this game and the subplots are so intriguing that I can't wait for June 12!
Walcott would have given the US a ton of trouble on the wings with their speed, but Aaron Lennon from Tottenham appears to have beat him out. Expect Steven Gerrard to be pushed wide left while Frank Lampard occupies the middle of midfield with either a fit Gareth Barry or perhaps Michael Carrick/Ledley King. The other worry for England is the 2nd striker spot where Capello picked Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, and Jermaine Defoe beside Wayne Rooney. It is a dilemma for England, much like the US - do they change their style of play and place Rooney by himself with support from Gerrard/Lampard or pair him with Crouch or Heskey? So many questions surround this game and the subplots are so intriguing that I can't wait for June 12!
6) Just What The Doctor Ordered
-Roy Halladay continues to prove that he is the best pitcher of the Steroid Era. He became only the 5th Cy Young winner to throw a perfect game Saturday in Florida. It's amazing to think that Halladay has been around for 12 years now, getting his first win in 1998. The funny thing about Halladay is that his career numbers don't blow you away - 155 wins and a 3.37 ERA with only 2 20 win seasons. But, unlike others with injury issues (Santana) or ethical issues (Clemens), Halladay has been there through it all with the same consistency. Maybe now that he has a perfect game, and is pitching in a big American market, he'll get the credit he deserves.
7) The Grammatica Files
-Kendry Morales-Grammatica thought that with everything in the sports world going on this Memorial Day Weekend, that the best way to get his name in the papers was to go out and break a leg... literally. Morales becomes the first man in baseball history to injure himself while jumping on home plate while celebrating a walk-off home run! Congratulations Kendry! Of course it's a fluke thing and just plain bad luck... but you have to wonder if his own team will have him beaned when he gets back from the DL for breaking an "unwritten rule of baseball."
D'Oh!
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