Some notes and comments on television and movies will follow.
It was great to see the legendary “American Bandstand” host, the late, great Dick Clark in a 1960 movie “Because They’re Young,” which aired on TCM last night.
He was intense, younger than his longtime “forever young” status and showed as they say, some “acting chops” and certainly had screen presence.
I watched the movie “Draft Day” and other than seeing the ESPN banner within the movie, it was entertaining and showed the business, and almost cut throat reality of the NFL draft.
Kevin Costner was fine in another sports movie but the real kick was seeing greats, Frank Langella and Jim Brown share a scene.
Though the NBA Chicago Bulls failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs, a continuation of the horribly disappointing career of the often injured Derrick Rose and the great Chicago Blackhawks were eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs, the two Chicago baseball teams are humming along offering great hope in the “Windy City.”
The highly touted Chicago Cubs sans a pennant since 1945 and a World Series win since 1908, are playing up to expectations with a (15-5) record.
Meanwhile the Chicago White Sox, certainly more of a surprise, are off to a fine (15-6) start.
The White Sox did end an 88 year World Series title drought in 2005, a year after the Boston Red Sox ended an 86 year title drought. Both teams swept the title drought ending World Series.
Relegated to a 6 p.m Eastern time start, the NBA Eastern Conference two seed, Toronto Raptors won game 5 by 3 points as 7 point favorites to take a (3-2) series lead vs the Indiana Pacers.
This has been way too big a struggle for the (56-26) Toronto team.
They are not wanted by the all powerful networks and though the Cleveland Cavaliers had a similar (57-25) record, they already 4 game winners vs the Detroit Pistons remain top heavy favorites in the NBA East.
The NHL quarterfinal round begins tomorrow night with the New York Islanders visiting the Tampa Bay Lightning.
New York led by John Taveras, who scored the tying and winning goals, dispatched the Florida Panthers in six games. It was the Islanders first playoffs series win since 1993.
Meanwhile the Lightning, a finalist, a year ago losing to now ex champion, Chicago (Blackhawks) in six games are in the “quarters,” again after a series win vs the Detroit Red Wings.
After the ouster of the Blackhawks and L.A. Kings in the first round and the failure of the Boston Bruins to make the playoffs, this year’s Stanley Cup champion will be one that has not won the title since at least 2009.
The St. Louis Blues, riding a decisive goal by Troy Brouwer, reached the NHL quarterfinals with a win vs the defending champion, Chicago Blackhawks in game 7 at St. Louis.
Brouwer, a member of the Blackhawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup winning team, a title that ended a 47 completed seasons’ drought (1962-2009), scored to break a third period tie for a team ripe with playoffs failure, sans a Stanley Cup finals win, no less a title, in its previous, you guessed it, 47 (completed) seasons (1968-2015).
Rather than cite the Blues’ playoffs failures, I laud the tremendous Chicago Blackhawks, three time Stanley Cup champions starting in 2010 (also 2013 and 2015) and ousted in 7 game series (2011, 2014 and 2016) and 6 games (2012) in the playoff years sans a title.
In citing Blues hero, Troy Brouwer (pictured below) and showing a promotion at Maple Leaf Gardens involving Dick “Bulldog” Brower, one recalls the great NHL Toronto Maple Leafs’ goaltender Johnny Bower.
Troy Brouwer pictured above.
It is almost certain that it will be the NBA West second seed, San Antonio Spurs vs the third seed, Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA quarterfinal round.
The Spurs swept past the Memphis Grizzlies in 4 straight games, three more than decisive.
Oklahoma City is a huge favorite to wrap up its series vs the Dallas Mavericks in tonight’s game. “OKC” as they are often called, leads the series three games to one.
There will be the drama not only of a seventh and deciding game, but also that concerning a team that has failed continually in the playoffs against a team that has triumphed so often when the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks visit the St. Louis Blues tonight.
The Blackhawks have won three Stanley Cup crowns in six seasons, the only three “Chi” titles during the presidency of the Chicago associated Barack Obama.
Conversely the Blues have never won the Stanley Cup even a Stanley Cup finals game (0-12), albeit as an expansion entity granted access to the finals vs established teams (1968-1970), and most telling have failed vs Chicago, including two seasons ago with a (2-0) series lead and now are forced to a 7th despite a (3-1) series lead.
The top ranked teams in each NHL conference (the Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars) both failed to clinch their series in game 5 home games Friday and now seek to do so on the road in a pair of game 6’s today.
At noon Eastern Time, the top ranked Washington Capitals, a team held to one goal in two games by the Philadelphia Flyers, a team whose owner 80 plus year old Ed Snider’s death was called “a TRAGEDY” on NHL Network last week, hope to end the Flyers’ inspirational season in game six.
Meanwhile the Dallas Stars, once the Minnesota North Stars, now must travel to Minnesota for game six as they hope to wrap up their series vs the Minnesota Wild today.
Caps beat Flyers behind Michal Neuvirth’s 44 saves, force Game 6
The problem with the above from ESPN.com is that Michal Neuvirth is the Philadelphia Flyers’ goaltender and that the Flyers, to the delight of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, won to force a 6th game at home vs Washington (Capitals) at noon Eastern Time today. Again the Flyers and NOT the Caps won the game cited above (game 5).
Driving home Friday night I was appalled that neither WINS nor WFAN gave scores on two of the four hockey playoff games and gave no other baseball scores other than those involving the local Mets and Yankees.
Worse, an update reporter on WFAN got cute and said Cardinals trail rather than Padres lead. Why tease/”aggravate” Cardinals’ fans and yes bettors. Cite the winning team first!!
It was ominous for them, when another (3-0) San Jose (Sharks) advantage vs the L.A. Kings became (3-3), but this time the Sharks, who dissipated a (3-0) series lead to the Kings two years ago, scored the last three goals of the game to beat the Kings (6-3), and win their opening round series 4 games to 1.
San Jose now awaits the winner of what has been an all road team wins, Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators series, in the NHL quarterfinals. That series is tied two games apiece, with game 5 tonight, a 3 p.m. Pacific Time start, in Anaheim.
Joe Pavelski had the goal to make it (5-3) Sharks and scored 4 goals in the Sharks 3 for 3 wins in Los Angeles. The Sharks would open at Anaheim sans home advantage if the Ducks win the series vs Nashville but would open at home with series home advantage if the Predators prevail.
Joe Pavelski, a truly fine hockey player, pictured above.
Andy B Sports 