First things first...I would like to thank the people at KTVF-TV Channel 11 for allowing to voice my opinions to the Fairbanks community. Maybe this will be a start to new career into the sports media department in the near future.
ANCHORAGE'S CHALMERS HELP JAYHAWKS WIN NCAA TITLE
Okay enough of that, there was a champion crowned Monday night in San Antonio. The Kansas Jayhawks captured the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship with an unforgettable 75-68 overtime win over the Memphis Tigers. And who would have thought that the player named the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament happens to be a graduate of Anchorage's Bartlett High School...Mario Chalmers.
Chalmers was the hero on this night as he scored the game-tying three-point basket with 2.1 seconds left in regulation forcing the game to go overtime tied at 63-63. The overtime was the first since a pair of Wildcats' teams decided the overtime in the 1997 final in Indianapolis where Lute Olson's Arizona squad (Mike Bibby, Miles Simon, etc.) knocked away Rick Pitino's Kentucky team.
ICE LOTTERY
The National Hockey League season came to an end on Sunday, and what better way to prepare for the playoffs by having...you guessed it, a draft lottery. Congrats to the Tampa Bay Lightning on becoming the team to select first overall in the upcoming June draft in Ottawa. Second pick goes to my Los Angeles Kings, who for the sixth consecutive season have failed to make the playoffs. And thanks to my Kings, I have to put up with another postseason of watching the crosstown rival / Stanley Cup champion Ducks not only compete in the playoffs starting Wednesday night versus the Dallas Stars, but also watch them (and hope they unsuccessfully) defend Lord Stanley's Cup. Go Stars!
TIED GOING INTO TEXAS
Friday night was playoff night at the Dipper. I attended Game 1 of the North American Hockey League's South Division Semifinals between the Ice Dogs and the Wichita Falls Wildcats. After accidently dropping my white towel into the nacho cheese dip, I decided to twirl it anyways during the Dogs' 4-0 shutout. Cody Reichard was brilliant, stopping save after save, especially during the penalty kill. Head coach Rob Proffitt was a little upset at the officials during a changeover during the third period.
But did anyone notice the referee that was about the size of each car that was on the ice during first and second intermissions? I mean, did the guy forget to give up his Slim-Fast cases to Tommy Lasorda? Was he the only official not to have his name on the back of his uniform? I swear to God, it had to Mario...then I thought, where is Luigi on the ice?
Anyways back to the series; Games 3 and 4 will be played Friday and Saturday afternoon at Wichita Falls, with Game 5 if necessary early Sunday afternoon. Winner of this series plays either the Topeka Roadrunners or Texas Tornado for the South Division Final.
...AND FINALLY (FINALLY)
The Seattle Sounders are playing their final season this year in the United Soccer League.
The new Major League Soccer team in Seattle, which will be playing at Qwest Field in 2009, will be called...Seattle Sounders FC.
And in the words of the great Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton would say...THANK YOU, GOOD NIGHT NOW!
-Lorenzo
