Everything Else

My College Weekend And Other Notes

By Sam Fels 1329 0

Some stuff to clean up this afternoon:

-I’ll be on Chris Block’s podcast tonight at 8pm. Catch it at The Third Man In.com. No one is more plugged into what goes on in Rockford than Block, so if you want to know what’s going on down there you should check it out. I’ll just be making it up.

-Phillip Danault and Mark McNeill were invited to Canada’s World Junior training camp. Both have at least a decent shout to go to Russia. Danault is considered more of a lock, though Bob McKenzie thinks that McNeill’s versatility could see him land a spot as well. If Bob McKenzie says it, I’ll believe it.

Everything Else

Your NHL-less Weeked Viewing Guide

By Sam Fels 1147 0

Just keep ’em coming. Before I get to the guide, I wanted to post this article from Soccernet with two owners from MLS. While there’s nothing too revolutionary here, it is refreshing to see transparency and communication be something that is valued. A lot of MLS teams work hand in hand with their supporters’ groups, which would be something that would make owners in any other league pretty much choke. Sadly, one of those owners isn’t here in Chicago, as the Fire don’t seem to have a great relationship with their fanbase.

But the NHL should tamp down the arrogance, because with more incompetent stewardship, MLS is going to be getting awfully big in the rearview, if it isn’t already. How did it get here? By expanding into the exact right markets, building a base with the dedicated fans in those, cultivating its own atmosphere and uniqueness, along with a couple other things. Maybe not this decade, but the next one could see the NHL totally usurped. And it would be exactly what they fucking deserve.

In fact, when the NHL finally wakes up and gets around to firing Gary Bettman for killing the sport, they’d do well to not look at plucking someone from the sports they can’t be, but from the one that is gobbling up the gap from the NHL to MLS. At least you might see something resembling innovative ideas.

Anyway, to the guide.

Everything Else

Thanksgiving, NHL-less Viewing Guide

By Sam Fels 1081 0

Whenever the NHL gets back to the PA on their offer today and it’s in anyway worth our time to talk about, I’ll return this afternoon to do so. But until then, what’s on offer for you to watch this holiday weekend?

Wednesday Night

Bulls v. Rockets – If you really need to see Omer Asik turn into the player he couldn’t here and sweat a lot, and how much Jeremy Lin actually sucks. Because he does.

Thanksgiving Day

NFL Tripleheader – I mean, it’s part of the tradition now. You avoid talking to the members of your family you don’t like (i.e. all of them) by watching football. And for once, the NFL has tossed three at-least-decently-interesting games at you, with Texans-Lions, Skins-Boys, and Pats-Jets at night on NBC. We’re working on getting a webcam installed at Chez Killion back East so we can see how the balance between watching RGIII and having dinner as a family gets sorted out. We’re guessing a lot of thrown objects.

Friday

Sorry, not much here. Some college football, some non-Bulls NBA. Maybe you should go see your friends or something?

Saturday

College Football – Rivalry weekend. Michigan-Ohio State is the only college game I ever make time to watch. Auburn-Alabama could be a thing and important. Notre Dame giving the golden shower to USC is on at night. But really, whatever.

College Hockey – Only Michigan v. Cornell as MSG is available for you this weekend. Sorry. Well, that and if you have the dish you can get Minnesota v. Vermont as well and watch Justin Holl thrash about on the fourth line.

Bulls v. Bucks – Zzzzzzzz….

Sunday

Bears v. Vikings – At least they return to Sunday afternoons again after two weeks away. But after Monday….duck.

Ok, that’s it for me. If nothing breaks, you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and we’ll reconvene here when it’s necessary. Could be Monday, could be later this afternoon.