After years of session work, the Larsen-Feiten Band scored their only Top 40 hit in 1980 with "Who'll Be The Fool Tonight".
Just as appropriate, don't you think, since April Fool's Day is tomorrow?
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wrestlemania 28 Predictions
Wrestlemania 28 takes place in Miami on April 1 (April Fools' Day), but the theme of the evening seems to put more emphasis on the "Attitude Era" of the late 90s-early 00's in 2 main events. The title bouts are being relegated to the undercard, and you can blame that on senile Chairman-CEO Vince McMahon, but that's another story for another time. Let's run down the card:
Intercontinental title: Cody Rhodes vs. The Big Show.
The angle around this match centers on Show's poor track record at Wrestlemania. Well, McMahon keeps putting him in a position where he can't win, and that's because of the simple fact that Show (Paul Wight) gained his first big break in WCW 17 years ago. McMahon believes that if he didn't "create" you, you're not going to get a fair shake with him unless you've earned your stripes. Rhodes, the youngest son of Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, defends the title only when Uncreative deems it necessary, which isn't very often, and, again, the blame falls on McMahon, who calls the shots for his cast of scribbling idiots. A win here allows Show to join an elite group of superstars who've held all of the active championships in WWE (on the men's side, anyway). However, it doesn't look like McMahon is willing to take a chance, and, well, that's his loss. Rhodes' inactivity with the belt will be his undoing.
Who should win: Big Show.
Who will win: Big Show.
WWE World title: Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus.
It's funny how things work out. These two were matched last year, but the bout was knocked off the card at the last minute. With Bryan now the champion, and Sheamus having won the Royal Rumble in January, this makes up for last year's oversight. The x-factor is AJ Lee, Bryan's storyline girlfriend, who cut in front of Sheamus on Monday to prevent him from hitting the Brogue Kick on Bryan. The champ is misusing AJ, and, in this writer's opinion, this is McMahon's way of honoring the memory of the late "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who passed away 10 months ago, with Bryan in the Savage role of the bully mistreating his lady. This time, it's going to backfire, as Bryan's run ends after 3 1/2 months.
Who should win: Sheamus.
Who will win: Sheamus.
WWE title: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho.
The issue is more about who's really "the best in the world". Daniel Bryan could lay claim to that title if he weren't on Smackdown and on Raw instead, since, as Bryan Danielson, he was doing just that in Ring of Honor 3 years ago. Jericho, who will be going on tour with his band, Fozzy, in June, has made this personal with his irresponsible, tabloid-bait attack promos on Punk. At best, it's certainly more entertaining than anything else on the card, and it will be a total shock if Jericho, whose last title reign was on Smackdown a couple of years ago, wins here. I just don't see it. The only way Jericho wins is if Punk gets out of control and gets himself DQd, and that isn't happening, either.
Who should win: CM Punk.
Who will win: CM Punk.
Randy Orton vs. Kane.
The "Big Red Machine" has gone back to a variation on the mask & wig combination he wore in 2002-3, claiming to have expunged all of his humanity, and that the journey will be complete with a win over Orton. Wrestlemania, however, is supposed to be about closure to feuds, not continuations, but try telling that to the creative team. Orton, however, has had the upper hand in this feud so far, so Kane needs to win this to advance this issue forward to the Extreme Rules show at the end of April.
Who should win: Orton.
Who will win: Kane.
Beth Phoenix & Eve Torres vs. Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos.
Extra co-hostess Menounos is pulling double-duty these days, as she's also competing on ABC's Dancing With The Stars. During training, she suffered two cracked ribs, and so her actual participation in this match is questionable.
Phoenix, the pride of Buffalo, and the current Divas champion, should be defending her belt in this spot, but of course McMahon wants the mainstream attention, and isn't satisfied with getting it with one of his main events. Add to this the fact that Torres, a former champ herself who recently turned heel, can't be trusted, as she covets the championship. With McMahon's track record with celebrities at Mania, well.........!
Who should win: Phoenix & Torres.
Who will win: Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos.
Team Johnny (David Otunga, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, Michael "The Miz" Mizanin, Mark Henry, & Drew McIntyre w/John Laurinaitis & Vickie Guerrero) vs. Team Teddy (Santino Marella, Great Khali, Booker T, Zack Ryder, R-Truth, & Kofi Kingston w/Teddy Long & Hornswoggle).
Laurinaitis, the former Johnny Ace, has been acting GM of Raw since October, and covets the whole enchilada. Flagbearer Guerrero tried that 3 years ago, and quit after 2 months when she couldn't handle the pressure of a live audience working back-to-back nights, coupled with the relentless verbal abuse heaped on her by the faces. Her act hasn't changed since her return in October 2009 at all. McIntyre's a late replacement for Christian, who reaggravated an ankle injury earlier this week. Miz may be in there because a more likely pick, Alberto Del Rio, is still not 100% recovered from a winter groin injury. Laurinaitis' act is just as bad as Guerrero's if not worse because he lacks charismatic presence. He's a poor man's McMahon, and that's what he really is there for, to be the on-camera analogue for the insane chairman, who's been forced off the air in part because of advanced age and perceptions of premature senility, among other things. However, the heel administrator act is tired, moldy, and needs to be expunged. Long has been GM of Smackdown, for 2 terms (2004-7, 2009-present), and has had to deal with Guerrero and her power-coveting schemes in the past. He's been the good soldier, and deserves to be rewarded, rather than forced out of office again for the 3rd time in the last 4 1/2 years. Given the championship resumes of both teams, this should be a show-stealer, but it won't.
Who should win: Team Johnny.
Who will win: Team Teddy.
The Undertaker vs. Triple H: Hell in a Cell (Special guest referee: Shawn Michaels).
Billed as the "End of an Era", namely, the Attitude Era, this is the 3rd Wrestlemania clash between Undertaker & Triple H, but they are making people forget the first one in 2001. Undertaker didn't compete again in 2011 after Mania, and has had wife Michelle McCool nursing him back to health. I shan't be surprised if the camera focuses on McCool, who hung up her tights last year after 7 years with the company, during the match. Some speculate that HHH & Michaels, collectively DeGeneration X, will try to screw over the "Deadman", but I don't see it happening. Much as DX fans want that to happen, the streak goes on for one more year.
Who should win: Triple H.
Who will win: Undertaker.
John Cena vs. The Rock.
This has been building to a fever pitch for a year. Rock interfered in Cena's title match vs. Miz last year, which has become an afterthought, considering that Miz has been plunged to the undercard since then. Cena is being portrayed as the wrestling lifer who, despite making three movies in the last 6 years, has vowed never to leave the company or its fans behind. Rock (Dwayne Johnson) is in between movie projects, but says his heart is still in the wrestling business. Some say there will be a sequel to this one, but Rock doesn't really have anything to prove. It's all about McMahon overmilking this match to maximize the profit margins. Will someone hand him a book on Santayana already? It's the Rock's hometown, and there's the matter of hometown stars losing in front of the homies when it comes to the Raw brand. Cena can relate to that, of course. It's been 8 years since Rock put over Randy Orton in a tag match at Wrestlemania 20 in New York. Will he do the honors again? I believe so.
Who should win: The Rock.
Who will win: John Cena.
I just can't see Cena losing two in a row at Wrestlemania. Period.
Of course, I could be wrong.........
Intercontinental title: Cody Rhodes vs. The Big Show.
The angle around this match centers on Show's poor track record at Wrestlemania. Well, McMahon keeps putting him in a position where he can't win, and that's because of the simple fact that Show (Paul Wight) gained his first big break in WCW 17 years ago. McMahon believes that if he didn't "create" you, you're not going to get a fair shake with him unless you've earned your stripes. Rhodes, the youngest son of Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, defends the title only when Uncreative deems it necessary, which isn't very often, and, again, the blame falls on McMahon, who calls the shots for his cast of scribbling idiots. A win here allows Show to join an elite group of superstars who've held all of the active championships in WWE (on the men's side, anyway). However, it doesn't look like McMahon is willing to take a chance, and, well, that's his loss. Rhodes' inactivity with the belt will be his undoing.
Who should win: Big Show.
Who will win: Big Show.
WWE World title: Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus.
It's funny how things work out. These two were matched last year, but the bout was knocked off the card at the last minute. With Bryan now the champion, and Sheamus having won the Royal Rumble in January, this makes up for last year's oversight. The x-factor is AJ Lee, Bryan's storyline girlfriend, who cut in front of Sheamus on Monday to prevent him from hitting the Brogue Kick on Bryan. The champ is misusing AJ, and, in this writer's opinion, this is McMahon's way of honoring the memory of the late "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who passed away 10 months ago, with Bryan in the Savage role of the bully mistreating his lady. This time, it's going to backfire, as Bryan's run ends after 3 1/2 months.
Who should win: Sheamus.
Who will win: Sheamus.
WWE title: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho.
The issue is more about who's really "the best in the world". Daniel Bryan could lay claim to that title if he weren't on Smackdown and on Raw instead, since, as Bryan Danielson, he was doing just that in Ring of Honor 3 years ago. Jericho, who will be going on tour with his band, Fozzy, in June, has made this personal with his irresponsible, tabloid-bait attack promos on Punk. At best, it's certainly more entertaining than anything else on the card, and it will be a total shock if Jericho, whose last title reign was on Smackdown a couple of years ago, wins here. I just don't see it. The only way Jericho wins is if Punk gets out of control and gets himself DQd, and that isn't happening, either.
Who should win: CM Punk.
Who will win: CM Punk.
Randy Orton vs. Kane.
The "Big Red Machine" has gone back to a variation on the mask & wig combination he wore in 2002-3, claiming to have expunged all of his humanity, and that the journey will be complete with a win over Orton. Wrestlemania, however, is supposed to be about closure to feuds, not continuations, but try telling that to the creative team. Orton, however, has had the upper hand in this feud so far, so Kane needs to win this to advance this issue forward to the Extreme Rules show at the end of April.
Who should win: Orton.
Who will win: Kane.
Beth Phoenix & Eve Torres vs. Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos.
Extra co-hostess Menounos is pulling double-duty these days, as she's also competing on ABC's Dancing With The Stars. During training, she suffered two cracked ribs, and so her actual participation in this match is questionable.
Phoenix, the pride of Buffalo, and the current Divas champion, should be defending her belt in this spot, but of course McMahon wants the mainstream attention, and isn't satisfied with getting it with one of his main events. Add to this the fact that Torres, a former champ herself who recently turned heel, can't be trusted, as she covets the championship. With McMahon's track record with celebrities at Mania, well.........!
Who should win: Phoenix & Torres.
Who will win: Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos.
Team Johnny (David Otunga, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, Michael "The Miz" Mizanin, Mark Henry, & Drew McIntyre w/John Laurinaitis & Vickie Guerrero) vs. Team Teddy (Santino Marella, Great Khali, Booker T, Zack Ryder, R-Truth, & Kofi Kingston w/Teddy Long & Hornswoggle).
Laurinaitis, the former Johnny Ace, has been acting GM of Raw since October, and covets the whole enchilada. Flagbearer Guerrero tried that 3 years ago, and quit after 2 months when she couldn't handle the pressure of a live audience working back-to-back nights, coupled with the relentless verbal abuse heaped on her by the faces. Her act hasn't changed since her return in October 2009 at all. McIntyre's a late replacement for Christian, who reaggravated an ankle injury earlier this week. Miz may be in there because a more likely pick, Alberto Del Rio, is still not 100% recovered from a winter groin injury. Laurinaitis' act is just as bad as Guerrero's if not worse because he lacks charismatic presence. He's a poor man's McMahon, and that's what he really is there for, to be the on-camera analogue for the insane chairman, who's been forced off the air in part because of advanced age and perceptions of premature senility, among other things. However, the heel administrator act is tired, moldy, and needs to be expunged. Long has been GM of Smackdown, for 2 terms (2004-7, 2009-present), and has had to deal with Guerrero and her power-coveting schemes in the past. He's been the good soldier, and deserves to be rewarded, rather than forced out of office again for the 3rd time in the last 4 1/2 years. Given the championship resumes of both teams, this should be a show-stealer, but it won't.
Who should win: Team Johnny.
Who will win: Team Teddy.
The Undertaker vs. Triple H: Hell in a Cell (Special guest referee: Shawn Michaels).
Billed as the "End of an Era", namely, the Attitude Era, this is the 3rd Wrestlemania clash between Undertaker & Triple H, but they are making people forget the first one in 2001. Undertaker didn't compete again in 2011 after Mania, and has had wife Michelle McCool nursing him back to health. I shan't be surprised if the camera focuses on McCool, who hung up her tights last year after 7 years with the company, during the match. Some speculate that HHH & Michaels, collectively DeGeneration X, will try to screw over the "Deadman", but I don't see it happening. Much as DX fans want that to happen, the streak goes on for one more year.
Who should win: Triple H.
Who will win: Undertaker.
John Cena vs. The Rock.
This has been building to a fever pitch for a year. Rock interfered in Cena's title match vs. Miz last year, which has become an afterthought, considering that Miz has been plunged to the undercard since then. Cena is being portrayed as the wrestling lifer who, despite making three movies in the last 6 years, has vowed never to leave the company or its fans behind. Rock (Dwayne Johnson) is in between movie projects, but says his heart is still in the wrestling business. Some say there will be a sequel to this one, but Rock doesn't really have anything to prove. It's all about McMahon overmilking this match to maximize the profit margins. Will someone hand him a book on Santayana already? It's the Rock's hometown, and there's the matter of hometown stars losing in front of the homies when it comes to the Raw brand. Cena can relate to that, of course. It's been 8 years since Rock put over Randy Orton in a tag match at Wrestlemania 20 in New York. Will he do the honors again? I believe so.
Who should win: The Rock.
Who will win: John Cena.
I just can't see Cena losing two in a row at Wrestlemania. Period.
Of course, I could be wrong.........
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Weasels of the Week: George Zimmerman and Westboro Baptist Church
Let's just get the predictable out of the way first.
The Westboro Baptist Church Wack-Pack has struck again. Instead of protesting a celebrity's funeral for a change, the Phelps family and their mindless congregation turned up at a recent Radiohead concert. The following, obtained from an article on MSN.com, was in turn quoted from the church's website:
"You have stolen the Word of God from your people and children, and as a sorry substitute, you prop up lightness and lies. You try to get the people to look at the nonsense and not at the wrath of God that abides upon them. "Look at the circus monkey over there and the fluffy setting, blah, blah..." Meanwhile, God is undoing this nation and effecting all of your lives, with the moth that quietly eats the very fabric of your national garment. Radiohead is just such an event. Freak monkeys with mediocre tunes keeps you busy and focused by lightness. It changes nothing, God is undoing and digging up and throwing down this nation."
The Phelps family just doesn't get it. God is a loving, caring, protective God, but it seems that the Phelpses and their misled flock have ignored much of the New Testament in favor of revisiting the Old Testament, where the Almighty was often wroth with anger toward His people because they repeatedly turned their backs on Him. That, folks, was the clearest definition of tough love that I've ever read.
Meanwhile, George Zimmerman walks free today, despite the fact he should be behind bars for killing Florida teen Trayvon Martin last month. Zimmerman, backed by his legal counsel and his father, claims Martin attacked him, but video evidence disproves this. The New York Post earlier this week splashed on their front page the phrase, "race hustlers", in reference to Revs. Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson, who led peaceful protests in support of the deceased's family. Sharpton is also a talk show host these days on CNBC, and has found himself not only discussing current events, but being part of those events himself. Jackson can relate, as he's been there, done that, having had a past gig with CNN back in the day. The police claim there wasn't enough evidence to arrest Zimmerman, who has insisted that Martin jumped him first. And you thought the Westboro Weirdos were delusional? There's something in the water down there in a sleepy little town few had heard of until the last month. The police chief in Sanford has been placed on administrative leave, and that should be just the beginning.
Clearly, someone has something to hide, trying to throw blame onto Martin. Veteran journalist Geraldo Rivera, on Fox News,---and he should know better----claimed that Martin's hoodie might've been a root cause. Bulloney! I've seen plenty of folks wearing hoodies up here in my district, and most are average, normal, unthreatening types. What are they trying to do down there, set race relations back all the way to the silent film era?
The Westboro flock now gets an unlimited supply of weasel ears, paws, and tails. Meanwhile, Zimmerman and his circle of apologists are getting some, just for trying to lie to the world when the evidence is pretty obvious, so much so that even a blind man could tell you the truth better than those clowns could be willing to.
The Westboro Baptist Church Wack-Pack has struck again. Instead of protesting a celebrity's funeral for a change, the Phelps family and their mindless congregation turned up at a recent Radiohead concert. The following, obtained from an article on MSN.com, was in turn quoted from the church's website:
"You have stolen the Word of God from your people and children, and as a sorry substitute, you prop up lightness and lies. You try to get the people to look at the nonsense and not at the wrath of God that abides upon them. "Look at the circus monkey over there and the fluffy setting, blah, blah..." Meanwhile, God is undoing this nation and effecting all of your lives, with the moth that quietly eats the very fabric of your national garment. Radiohead is just such an event. Freak monkeys with mediocre tunes keeps you busy and focused by lightness. It changes nothing, God is undoing and digging up and throwing down this nation."
The Phelps family just doesn't get it. God is a loving, caring, protective God, but it seems that the Phelpses and their misled flock have ignored much of the New Testament in favor of revisiting the Old Testament, where the Almighty was often wroth with anger toward His people because they repeatedly turned their backs on Him. That, folks, was the clearest definition of tough love that I've ever read.
Meanwhile, George Zimmerman walks free today, despite the fact he should be behind bars for killing Florida teen Trayvon Martin last month. Zimmerman, backed by his legal counsel and his father, claims Martin attacked him, but video evidence disproves this. The New York Post earlier this week splashed on their front page the phrase, "race hustlers", in reference to Revs. Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson, who led peaceful protests in support of the deceased's family. Sharpton is also a talk show host these days on CNBC, and has found himself not only discussing current events, but being part of those events himself. Jackson can relate, as he's been there, done that, having had a past gig with CNN back in the day. The police claim there wasn't enough evidence to arrest Zimmerman, who has insisted that Martin jumped him first. And you thought the Westboro Weirdos were delusional? There's something in the water down there in a sleepy little town few had heard of until the last month. The police chief in Sanford has been placed on administrative leave, and that should be just the beginning.
Clearly, someone has something to hide, trying to throw blame onto Martin. Veteran journalist Geraldo Rivera, on Fox News,---and he should know better----claimed that Martin's hoodie might've been a root cause. Bulloney! I've seen plenty of folks wearing hoodies up here in my district, and most are average, normal, unthreatening types. What are they trying to do down there, set race relations back all the way to the silent film era?
The Westboro flock now gets an unlimited supply of weasel ears, paws, and tails. Meanwhile, Zimmerman and his circle of apologists are getting some, just for trying to lie to the world when the evidence is pretty obvious, so much so that even a blind man could tell you the truth better than those clowns could be willing to.
Rockin' Funnies: When The Radio Is On (1989)
Paul Shaffer is best known as David Letterman's bandleader, and has played with a wide range of musicians, from Todd Rundgren to the late Earl Scruggs. In 1989, Shaffer released his debut CD, "Coast To Coast", which produced one hit single, "When The Radio Is On". Shot mostly in black & white, Shaffer gets some lyrical aid from rappers Kool Moe Dee and Will "Fresh Prince" Smith. Pop legend Dion also appears. In fact, Shaffer basically is borrowing the look Dion sported for his own CD, "Yo, Frankie!", released around the same time.
Uploaded by Bronxroll. Forgive the brief defect in the middle as there was a tape issue in the course of uploading the video to YouTube. Can't be helped.
Shaffer has only released one more CD of his own since, busy as he is with his other gig......
Uploaded by Bronxroll. Forgive the brief defect in the middle as there was a tape issue in the course of uploading the video to YouTube. Can't be helped.
Shaffer has only released one more CD of his own since, busy as he is with his other gig......
Earl Scruggs (1934-2012)
News has just come across the wires of the passing of bluegrass icon Earl Scruggs at 88.
Originally a member of Bill Monroe's band, Scruggs spun off into an equally iconic combo with Lester Flatt, with whom he recorded a version of "The Ballad of Jed Clampett", otherwise known, of course, as the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies. Flatt & Scruggs would appear on Hillbillies on at least a couple of occasions, while another artist sang "Ballad" over the show's open.
Flatt & Scruggs ended their partnership in 1969, and Scruggs continued as a solo act or with his group, the Foggy Mountain Boys. He most recently headlined in LA in November, and there didn't seem to be any news of failing health at that time.
In recent years, Scruggs re-recorded one of his most famous songs, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown", along with his sons and an all-star backing group that included country & bluegrass stars Vince Gill & Marty Stuart and actor-comedian-musician Steve Martin, who has reinvented himself as a bluegrass artist of late.
Turion2005 uploaded a performance video of "Breakdown", which also features Paul Shaffer, from The Late Show With David Letterman. Shaffer & Martin are off to the sides, away from the rest of the band.
Rest in peace, Earl.
Originally a member of Bill Monroe's band, Scruggs spun off into an equally iconic combo with Lester Flatt, with whom he recorded a version of "The Ballad of Jed Clampett", otherwise known, of course, as the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies. Flatt & Scruggs would appear on Hillbillies on at least a couple of occasions, while another artist sang "Ballad" over the show's open.
Flatt & Scruggs ended their partnership in 1969, and Scruggs continued as a solo act or with his group, the Foggy Mountain Boys. He most recently headlined in LA in November, and there didn't seem to be any news of failing health at that time.
In recent years, Scruggs re-recorded one of his most famous songs, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown", along with his sons and an all-star backing group that included country & bluegrass stars Vince Gill & Marty Stuart and actor-comedian-musician Steve Martin, who has reinvented himself as a bluegrass artist of late.
Turion2005 uploaded a performance video of "Breakdown", which also features Paul Shaffer, from The Late Show With David Letterman. Shaffer & Martin are off to the sides, away from the rest of the band.
Rest in peace, Earl.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Bert Randolph Sugar (1937-2012)
Chances are, you can't watch a documentary on boxing or baseball without seeing Bert Randolph Sugar, noted author and boxing historian, being interviewed on either subject. Sugar, out of his 88 books, wrote the vast majority about baseball, but more people will recognize him, with his omnipresent cigar and fedora, as the go-to guy for trivial nuggets about boxing. It seemed as though Sugar would be around forever, but it is not to be.
On Sunday, Sugar passed away at 74, and with him goes a lifetime of knowledge of the two sports he was most passionate about. He was frequently interviewed on ESPN, most recently, I think, when Joe Frazier passed away a few months back. When Fox Sports Net had their short lived series, The Sports List, he was often seen discussing various topics pertaining to either boxing or baseball. The next boxing broadcast on either ESPN or SNY (Broadway Boxing) or elsewhere will likely pay special tribute to Sugar.
Rest in peace.
On Sunday, Sugar passed away at 74, and with him goes a lifetime of knowledge of the two sports he was most passionate about. He was frequently interviewed on ESPN, most recently, I think, when Joe Frazier passed away a few months back. When Fox Sports Net had their short lived series, The Sports List, he was often seen discussing various topics pertaining to either boxing or baseball. The next boxing broadcast on either ESPN or SNY (Broadway Boxing) or elsewhere will likely pay special tribute to Sugar.
Rest in peace.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Union College hockey comes of age
Until a couple of years ago, if you asked a sports fan about Union College in Schenectady, the response almost automatically would have something to do with the Dutchmen's Shoes, which is at stake each fall during football season when Union plays RPI. Until a few years ago, you might've laughed if you thought Union could compete with RPI, Clarkson, Cornell, et al, in hockey. All of that has changed.
It has been 27 years since RPI, with future NHL stars Adam Oates & Joey Juneau, won the NCAA championship. On April 5, Union is headed to Tampa for the NCAA Frozen Four, capping off the most successful season in the history of the school's hockey program. Mind you, this is a team that lost their head coach when Nate Leaman, the architect of the current Dutchmen team, left for Providence after last season. Current coach Rick Bennett simply picked up right where Leaman left off, and took it a few steps further. The Dutchmen won the ECAC regular season title, then the post-season tournament, knocking RPI out in the 2nd round en route to advancing to the NCAA's. One player from last year's team, goaltender Keith Kincaid, has already had a taste of the NHL, playing for New Jersey briefly this season before returning home to the AHL's Albany Devils, who are fighting for a postseason berth of their own.
Over the next few days, the local papers will be flooded with the predictable, inevitable comparisons between the '85 Engineers and the '12 Dutchmen as the hype builds toward the Frozen Four. Local fans had gotten accustomed in recent years to basketball teams from Siena and the University at Albany reaching the NCAA or other postseason tournaments. In fact, the Albany women's team went to the Big Dance for the first time in school history earlier this month, but went one-and-done, losing to Texas A & M in the first round, mirroring the men's first round ouster vs. Virginia just a couple of years ago. Now, Union has provided hope that between them & RPI, March Madness can extend to the ice a little more often.
The WWE bills next week's Wrestlemania match between John Cena and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as "Once in a Lifetime", when rumors claim that really won't be the case. In 1985, there were the pessimists that believed RPI's miracle run to the championship was once in a lifetime. The Engineers' up & down fortunes since then bear it out to be true. You have to believe Rick Bennett and the Union Dutchmen will try to build on this year's phenomenal success and build a winning tradition, so that it isn't once in a lifetime after all.
It has been 27 years since RPI, with future NHL stars Adam Oates & Joey Juneau, won the NCAA championship. On April 5, Union is headed to Tampa for the NCAA Frozen Four, capping off the most successful season in the history of the school's hockey program. Mind you, this is a team that lost their head coach when Nate Leaman, the architect of the current Dutchmen team, left for Providence after last season. Current coach Rick Bennett simply picked up right where Leaman left off, and took it a few steps further. The Dutchmen won the ECAC regular season title, then the post-season tournament, knocking RPI out in the 2nd round en route to advancing to the NCAA's. One player from last year's team, goaltender Keith Kincaid, has already had a taste of the NHL, playing for New Jersey briefly this season before returning home to the AHL's Albany Devils, who are fighting for a postseason berth of their own.
Over the next few days, the local papers will be flooded with the predictable, inevitable comparisons between the '85 Engineers and the '12 Dutchmen as the hype builds toward the Frozen Four. Local fans had gotten accustomed in recent years to basketball teams from Siena and the University at Albany reaching the NCAA or other postseason tournaments. In fact, the Albany women's team went to the Big Dance for the first time in school history earlier this month, but went one-and-done, losing to Texas A & M in the first round, mirroring the men's first round ouster vs. Virginia just a couple of years ago. Now, Union has provided hope that between them & RPI, March Madness can extend to the ice a little more often.
The WWE bills next week's Wrestlemania match between John Cena and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as "Once in a Lifetime", when rumors claim that really won't be the case. In 1985, there were the pessimists that believed RPI's miracle run to the championship was once in a lifetime. The Engineers' up & down fortunes since then bear it out to be true. You have to believe Rick Bennett and the Union Dutchmen will try to build on this year's phenomenal success and build a winning tradition, so that it isn't once in a lifetime after all.
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