Author Archives: ianbethune

St. John’s IceCaps 6, Connecticut Whale 3

By Brian Ring

Hartford, CT, November 4, 2011 – The Connecticut Whale fell to the St. John’s IceCaps, 6-3, Friday night before 4,028 at the XL Center in Hartford.

CT WhaleSt. John’s scored twice in 38 seconds midway through the third period, as part of a four-goal frame which erased a 3-2 deficit en route to a 6-3 win over the Whale.

“Sometimes it comes down to second effort, recognition, desperation, things like that,” said Whale coach Ken Gernander. “We got some big goals at the end of the second period and then we really didn’t force the issue and played first-effort for the last 20 minutes.”

Connecticut had gotten on the board early, as John Mitchell scored his fourth of the season on a backhander just 4:03 into the first period. His shot found its way past sprawled-out St. John’s goaltender Edward Pasquale, as Mats Zuccarello’s bid was kicked out to the Whale center.  Jonathan Audy-Marchessault also received an assist on the goal.

Carl Klingberg tied it for St. John’s at 13:58 with his seventh goal of the season, his wrist shot from the wide-open slot beating Whale goaltender Chad Johnson to his glove side. Aaron Gagnon and Marco Rosa each assisted on the score.

The IceCaps took a 2-1 lead on the power-play with just 42 seconds left the opening period, as Shawn Weller scored from the slot on a deflection of a Jason DeSantis shot.  Rosa picked up his second helper of the night on the play.

The Whale struck back with two goals in 19 seconds in the waning moments of the second period, taking a 3-2 lead into the third period.

Kris Newbury’s goal tied the game for Connecticut, as his shot went up and over Pasquale with 41 seconds left in the period. Kelsey Tessier and Carl Hagelin each assisted on the equalizer.

Connecticut then took the lead on the strength of Ryan Bourque’s first professional goal. Bourque’s shot from the right circle appeared to be swallowed up by Pasquale, but the shot trickled past his left pad and over the goal line for the 3-2 advantage. Tessier notched his second assist of the night on the goal, with Pavel Valentenko netting his second helper of the year.

The IceCaps responded in the third period, when Spencer Machacek netted his second goal of the season at 6:02. The Whale were unable to clear the puck from in front of Johnson, leading to the scoring chance created by Jason Jaffray and Riley Holzapfel, both tallying their third assists of the season.

St. John’s took a 4-3 lead on Eric O’Dell’s eventual game-winner, a turn-around shot from the right circle off a feed from Kevin Clark, O’Dell’s bid fooling Johnson to his short side. The goal was O’Dell’s first in the professional ranks. The IceCaps’ lead was increased to 5-3 just 38 seconds later, when Arturs Kulda blasted a shot from the point which beat Johnson low, for Kulda’s first goal of the season.

An empty-net goal from Kulda with 1:28 remaining in the third sealed the 6-3 win for the IceCaps.

“We come out strong and we get the first goal,” said Tessier. “We try to keep the lead and it’s always when we get to the third period that we can’t finish. But we’ve got to stay positive here though, we’ve been winning. We’ve got to climb back and get that goal, I think everyone hates losing.”

The Whale will return to action Saturday night, when they head to Albany to face the Devils at the Times-Union Center (7:00).

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.


St. John’s IceCaps 6 at Connecticut Whale 3
Friday, November 4, 2011 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

St. John’s 2 0 4 – 6
Connecticut 1 2 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Connecticut, Mitchell 4 (Zuccarello, Audy-Marchessault), 4:03. 2, St. John’s, Klingberg 7 (Gagnon, Rosa), 13:58. 3, St. John’s, Weller 2 (DeSantis, Rosa), 19:18 (PP). Penalties-Audy-Marchessault Ct (hooking), 17:46; Zuccarello Ct (tripping), 20:00.

2nd Period-4, Connecticut, Newbury 5 (Tessier, Hagelin), 19:19. 5, Connecticut, Bourque 1 (Tessier, Valentenko), 19:38. Penalties-Chiarot Stj (hooking), 7:40; Pasquale Stj (diving), 14:50; Thuresson Ct (goaltender interference), 14:50; Cormier Stj (boarding), 16:35.

3rd Period-6, St. John’s, Machacek 2 (Jaffray, Holzapfel), 6:02. 7, St. John’s, O’Dell 1 (Clark, Albert), 9:40. 8, St. John’s, Kulda 1 (Weller, Chiarot), 10:18. 9, St. John’s, Kulda 2 18:32 (EN). Penalties-O’Dell Stj (interference), 12:08.

Shots on Goal-St. John’s 12-7-9-28. Connecticut 8-6-5-19.
Power Play Opportunities-St. John’s 1 / 2; Connecticut 0 / 3.
Goalies-St. John’s, Pasquale 3-0-0 (19 shots-16 saves). Connecticut, Johnson 3-1-2 (27 shots-22 saves).
A-4,028
Referees-Geno Binda (22), Ryan Hersey (46).
Linesmen-Derek Wahl (46), Luke Galvin (2).

Paw Prints – Syracuse Orange (5-3, 1-2) @ UConn Huskies (3-5, 1-2) Preview

Paw Prints - UConn football

This week:

Syracuse Orange @ UConn Huskies

The UConn Huskies return home to Rentschler Field on Saturday at 12 p.m. as they’ll host the Syracuse Orange. The game is being dubbed as the “Pasqualoni Bowl” since UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni used to coach the Orange back in the day.

Here are the rosters for the Huskies and the Orange.

The Line/Prediction:

According to Rivals.com odds, UConn is favored by two points. The over/under is 44.5 points.

My predicition is Syracuse 24 UConn 13.

Tickets:

According to Ticketmaster.com, there are still some tickets available for the game.

Getting To The Game:

Here is link for the weather report. Here is all the parking info you will need for the game, this link includes directions to Rentschler Field. Here is a Rentschler Field seating chart and here is some general information for Rentschler Field.

The parking lots will open up 4 hours before kickoff. Here is a list of the tailgating rules at the Rent.

At UConn home games, FanFest takes place starting four hours before kickoff up until 30 minutes before the game. This year, it moves to between Gates A and B outside the stadium gates.

The offerings change each game, but activities typically include inflatable games for children, live bands, promotional vehicles and UConn student-athletes from various team signing autographs.

The “Husky Walk” is a chance for fans to welcome the UConn teams as they get off the team buses and head to the stadium. That takes place at approximately two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff between Gates A and B.

Once again this season at the end of home games, the UConn team will sing the “UConn Husky” fight song in front of the student section at Rentschler Field.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television:

Saturday’s game will be televised nationally by ESPNU. Pam Ward is on play-by-play while Dan Hawkins is on color.

The game will also be replayed on SNY in a condensed mode on the “Husky Power Hour” on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.The game will be replayed in its entirity on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Radio:

For the 20th consecutive season, WTIC 1080-AM in Hartford serves as the flagship station for the UConn Radio Network. WTIC is the state’s only 50,000 watt signal and can be heard in 23 states and parts of Canada.

Veteran UConn announcers Joe D’Ambrosio (play-by-play) and Wayne Norman (color commentary) return to call the action with Kevin Nathan on the sidelines.

The UConn pregame show begins 90 minutes prior to kickoff, while home games, the UConn Tailgate Show will air two and a half hours prior to the game with Arnold Dean. 

UConn football games are also broadcast over the internet at WTIC.com. Here is a  full list of stations on the WTIC/UCONN radio network.

Syracuse Radio:

The game can be heard on the Syracuse IMG Sports Network. Matt Park has the play-by-play with Chris Gedney (analyst) and Brian Higgins is the sideline reporter.

The Syracuse broadcast of the game is also available on Sirius Channel 117/XM 203.

To continue reading the Syracuse Orange @ UConn Huskies preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Last Week:

The Huskies fell to the Pitt Panthers 35-20 at Heinz Field. The Orange lost to the Louisville Cardinals 27-10 in Louisville.

History:

Saturday’s game will be the eighth meeting all-time between UConn and Syracuse with the series dating back to UConn joining the BIG EAST Conference in 2004. UConn leads the series by a 5-2 count and has won the past four meetings between the teams. UConn has won all three meetings between the teams at Rentschler Field — 2005 (26-7), 2007 (30-7) and 2009 (56-31).

Connections:

  • UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni was the head coach at Syracuse from 1991-2004 and led the Orange to 107 wins, four BIG EAST titles and nine bowl games…among his wins at Syracuse was a 42-30 win over UConn on October 30,2004 in Syracuse
  • SU head coach Doug Marrone was an assistant coach at Coast Guard in New London in 1999.
  • UConn offensive coordinator George DeLeone was on the Syracuse staff from 1985-96 and 1996-2004, as he served as both offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator during his time there.
  • UConn strength and conditioning coordinator Jerry Martin is a 1978 Syracuse graduate and a four-year letterman for the Orange.
  • The Huskies have six native New Yorkers — Stephen Brown is from Clifton Park, Joseph Danielson is from Baldwin, Reuben Frank is from Poughkeepsie, Wilbert Lee is from Brooklyn, Lyle McCombs is from Staten Island and Shamar Stephen is from Brookville.
  • The Orange do not have any Connecticut natives on their roster.
  • Corey Edsall, son of former UConn coach Randy Edsall, is a quarterback and punter on the Syracuse team….the freshman played his high school FB at East Catholic in Manchester, Conn.
  • UConn wide receiver Tebucky Jones, Jr. is the son of former Syracuse standout Tebucky Jones (1995-97).
  • SU freshman OT Kristofer Curtis and Connecticut freshman S Andrew Adams are both from Fayetteville, Ga.
  • WR Jarrod West and Connecticut CB Tevrin Brandon both hail from Bethlehem Pa.
  • Orange LB Femi Aliyu and Huskies OG Joseph Danielson each call Baldwin, N.Y. home.
  • Syracuse CB Brandon Reddish, running backs Steve Rene and Mario Tull, OG Ivan Foy and Connecticut S Wilbert Lee are all from Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • Orange freshman linebacker Cameron Lynch and Connecticut freshman WR call Lawrenceville, Ga. home.
  • FS Jeremi Wilkes and UConn CB Tyree Clark both hail from Tampa, Fla.
  • SU OG Jarel Lowery and Huskies WR Shakim Phillips are both from Paterson, N.J.

Other UConn News:

Here are the quotes from UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni’s press conference as well quotes from some of the players.

Here is UConn’s depth chart for the game.

Here is a video on the UConn football young guns.

UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni has won more BIG EAST Conference games (league contests only) than any other coach in history. Pasqualoni has 63 league wins from 1991-2004 and 2011 while Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech is second with 57.

With his three wins this year, Pasqauloni is also first in league history in overall wins with 110 to top the mark of Beamer with 108. The distant third is Don Nehlen of West Virginia at 61.

Pasqualoni became the first Husky coach since 1923 to win his UConn coaching debut. The last coach to win a Husky debut was Sumner Dole in 1923.

A number of members of the 2011 Huskies were named to preseason “Watch Lists” for 2011. They are:

  • Sophomore Tight End Ryan Griffin (Londonberry, N.H.)
    • John Mackey Award Watch List/Midseason Watch List
  • Senior Kicker Dave Teggart (Northborough, Mass.)
    • Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award
  • Senior Defensive Tackle Kendall Reyes (Nashua, N.H.)
    • Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman in the country
    • Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the best defensive player in the country;
    • Lombardi Award, given to the best offensive or defensive lineman in the country.
  • Senior center Moe Petrus (St. Laurent, Que.)
    • Outland Trophy
    • Lombardi Award
  • Senior offensive tackle Mike Ryan (Tamaqua, Pa.)
    • Lombardi Award

UConn owns an all-time mark of 23-28 in BIG EAST Conference games since joining the league for football in 2004. The Huskies posted their best conference record with a 5-2 mark in 2007 and ‘10.

UConn had a five-game BIG EAST Conference games win streak broken on Oct. 8 at West Virginia. It was the longest in school history.

UConn is 28-17 in games following a loss since Oct. 26, 2002.

Senior kicker Dave Teggart now has multiple field goals in five games this season and 19 in his career. He has ten career games with three or more field goals.

Here are the categories where UConn is ranked in the top 40 in the 2011 NCAA statistics.

  • Rushing Defense – 9th at 89.88 yards (Second in BIG EAST)
  • Scoring Defense – 33rd at 22.50 (Fourth in BIG EAST)
  • Turnover Margin – 32nd at +0.50 (Fifth in BIG EAST)
  • Sacks – t27th at 2.50 (Sixth in BIG EAST)
  • TFL – 29th at 7.00 (Sixth in BIG EAST)

Individual leaders:

  • Rushing – Lyle McCombs, 25th at 103.62 (2nd in BIG EAST)
  • FGoals – Dave Teggart, t5th at 1.75 (First in BIG EAST)
  • Sacks – Trevardo Williams, t27th at 0.69 (Third in BIG EAST)
  • TFL -Kendall Reyes, t22nd at 1.38 (Second in BIG EAST)
    Sio Moore, t27th at 1.31 (Third in BIG EAST)

Notes from this week’s opponent Syracuse:

Here are the quotes from Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone’s press conference.

A WIN AGAINST CONNECTICUT WOULD:

  • Be the program’s 691st victory, 15th-most among FBS schools.
  • Make the Orange bowl eligible for the second year in a row.
  • End SU’s four-game losing streak to Connecticut.
  • Mark the Orange’s first win at Rentschler Field in four tries.
  • Increase Syracuse’s BIG EAST road record to 5-1 since the beginning of 2010.
  • Even the Orange’s 2011 away-game record at 2-2.

The Orange is 105-93-4 (.530) all-time against the seven other members of the BIG EAST Conference. Since the formation of the league in 1991, Syracuse is 71-69 (.507) in BIG EAST play, including a 6-11 mark under head coach Doug Marrone.

Syracuse is 5-6 all-time vs. Cincinnati ; 2-5 vs. Connecticut; 5-6 vs. Louisville; 30-33-3 vs. Pittsburgh; 30-11-1 vs. Rutgers; 1-5 vs. South Florida; and 32-27 vs. West Virginia.

Syracuse is 10-5-1 all-time in games played on Nov. 5 and has won four its last five.

The following SU players have been named to watch lists for college football’s major national awards:

  • Van Chew
    Biletnikoff Award Watch List (outstanding receiver)
  • Chandler Jones
    Lombardi Award Watch List (outstanding lineman)
  • Ross Krautman
    Groza Award Watch List (outstanding placekicker)
  • Nick Provo
    Mackey Award Midseason Watch List (outstanding tight end)

Syracuse – UConn Huskies 2011 statisical comparison:

Syracuse Orange - UConn Huskies 2011 statisical comparison

Friday UConn Football Links:

What to watch in the Big East [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Paul Pasqualoni to face former team [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Syracuse works on building consistency [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East did you know? [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

A Few Words From UConn Coach Pasqualoni Before Syracuse [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Game Preview – Syracuse Orange at Connecticut Huskies [BigEast.org]

UConn Football: Offense Slow To Get Going [Hartford Courant]

Syracuse at Connecticut: SU focused on winning, not Huskies coach Pasqualoni [The Post-Standard]

George DeLeone brings passion and constant motion to UConn Huskies [The Post-Standard]

Syracuse vs. UConn: Coach P Or Not Coach P? [Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician]

Next Week:

The Huskies have an another bye week and return to action on Saturday, November 19th when they’ll host the Louisville Cardinals at Rentschler Field.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 11/4

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

The UConn football links can be found in the Friday football links section of the Syracuse Orange vs UConn Huskies preview.

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Breaking Down UConn’s Opponents: Games 17, 20, Notre Dame [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Leitao hires Marshall, drafts Okwandu [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

NBA Breakdown: Jeremy Lamb [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Boatright’s Status Still Unresolved For UConn [Hartford Courant]

UConn Huskies 2011-12 Team Preview [SI.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Mosqueda-Lewis makes strong first impression [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Parking Rates Jump To $12 At Gampel’s South Garage [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

So What Do You Think Of Mosqueda-Lewis Now? [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Mosqueda-Lewis Tweaks Calf In Win Over Assumption [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Women’s Hoops Glide Past Assumption In Exhibition, 89-30 [UConnHuskies.com]

Post Game Quotes [UConnHuskies.com]

Mosqueda-Lewis has strong debut as UConn women roll to exhibition win [CT Post]

UConn Women Roll Over Assumption [Hartford Courant]

Five Former Huskies Who Made A Difference [Hartford Courant]

Freshman Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis sharp in exhibition win [New Haven Register]

Senior, freshman star for UConn women in exhibition [The Day]

2011-2012 UConn Huskies: Mayan Effort Not Needed [Swish Appeal]

Other UConn related links

Boise State given consent to join Big East [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

W. Volleyball. Come Out to Gampel for Weekend Volleyball Action [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer Routs DePaul In BIG EAST First Round, 4-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Schulmann and Houle Earn BIG EAST Nods [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Eight Huskies Earn Postseason Honors at the BIG EAST Banquet [UConnHuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Lawrence Wilson Arrested For Speeding & Marijuana Possession

Former UConn Huskies linebacker and current member of the Carolina Panthers practice squad, Lawrence Wilson, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon for speeding and possession of marijuana.

Connecticut linebacker Lawrence Wilson (8) reacts after intercepting a South Florida second-quarter pass and returning it for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, in Tampa, Fla.According to the Salisbury Post, Wilson was doing 76 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. After being pulled over, the officer smelled an odor of marijuana on Wilson which was enough probable cause to search the car.

Upon searching the car, the police found 11 grams (.39 ounces) of marijuana in his car. Lucky for him this is only a misdemanor in the state of North Carolina.

According to the article, the Carolina Panthers offered no comment on the situation.

Wilson was a sixth round pick of the Panthers in the 2011 NFL Draft and was cut before the season started. He was added to their practice squad after being cut.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Photo credit: AP Photo

Lee Baldwin Reassigned from Whale to Greenville

HARTFORD, November 3, 2011:  Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the parent New York Rangers have reassigned defenseman Lee Baldwin from the Whale to its ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Road Warriors.

CT WhaleBaldwin, a second-year pro, was scoreless and +2, with six shots on goal, in three games this year with the Whale, after missing the first four games of the season due to injury.  He was signed as a free agent by the Rangers March 22, 2010, out of the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

The Whale return to action at the XL Center tomorrow night, Friday, November 4, hosting the new St. John’s IceCaps in a 7:00 game.  That will be a special “Power Ghouls” Night, complete with an on-ice costume parade and a special buy-one-get-one-free ticket with costume.

Friday night’s game will feature a Halloween costume parade on the ice during the first intermission, and prizes will be awarded for best kid’s costume and best adult’s costume.  Also, fans who come in costume can take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free offer on Upper Level tickets for Friday’s game.  That discount is available for both kids’ and adults’ tickets, through the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center only.

CL&P employees who present their company ID at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center will also be extended the buy-one-get-one-free offer on Upper Level tickets for Friday night.

Tickets to Friday night’s game, and all 2011-12 Whale home games, are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 11/3

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

Big East superlative tracker [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Predictions: Big East Week 10 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

DC answered some questions in his mailbox [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Football Needs To Turn It Around At Home [Hartford Courant]

2011 Bowl Projections: UConn Huskies Predicted To Become Bowl Eligible [SB Nation Boston]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Routs AIC in Exhibition Opener [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Drummond, Calhoun on Drummond’s Debut [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn 78, AIC 35: Wrapping Things Up [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Breaking Down UConn’s Opponents: Game 16, West Virginia [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

UConn men 78, AIC 35: the wrap [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]

UConn post-game breakdown: AIC [Gavin Keefe – The Day]

Thoughts from the AIC exhibition [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Fresh Start [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn routs American International, 78-35 [UConnHuskies.com]

Napier leads UConn to exhibition blowout victory [CT Post]

UConn Has An Easy Exhibition Win Against American International [Hartford Courant]

Huskies roll over AIC in exhibition opener [New Haven Register]

Huskies are serious about their defense [The Day]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Freshmen looking forward to first “game” [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Tiffany Hayes Ready To Bring It For The UConn Women [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

The Irrepressible Geno Auriemma [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Mosqueda-Lewis Isn’t UConn’s Only Freshman, You Know [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

More From Geno Auriemma On The Big East [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Mosqueda-Lewis Poised To Finally Make Her Debut For Huskies [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Hayes Has Been Impressive During The Preseason For Huskies [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Hayes steps up her game, leadership for UConn women [CT Post]

Time For Tiffany Hayes To Step Up [Hartford Courant]

UConn women begin preseason tonight [The Day]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. No. 4 Field Hockey Set for 2011 BIG EAST Tournament [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Tennis. Men’s Tennis Concludes Fall Season at Connecticut Championships [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Cross Country. Andrea Grove-McDonough Reflects On BIG EAST Weekend [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Rowing. Rowing Wraps Up Fall At Head Of The Fish [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer vs. DePaul Set For 6 p.m. Thursday [UConnHuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

2011-12 WTIC/UConn Radio Network For Basketball

UConn Huskies Radio Network

With the exhibition season kicking off tonight for the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team, I figured now is the time to take a look at the stations on the WTIC/UConn Radio Network for the 2011-12 season.

Flagship station: WTIC-Hartford, (1080-AM)

  • WTIC-Hartford, (1080-AM)
  • WILI-Willimantic (1400-AM)
  • WLIS-Old Saybrook (1420-AM)
  • WMRD-Middletown (1150-AM)
  • WSUB-Groton (980-AM)

Joe D’Ambrosio (play-by-play) and Wayne Norman (analyst) have the call on the men’s basketball broadcasts while Bob Joyce (play-by-play) and former Husky Kara Wolters (analyst) have the call on the women’s broadcasts.

For those unable to pick up any of the signals, the games are streamed live on the internet at UConnHuskies.com or WTIC.com.

2011 AL & NL Silver Slugger Awards

While awards won’t ease the pain of what happened to the 2011 Boston Red Sox, it is nice to see some of them being honored.

Louisville Slugger Silver AwardLast night, three members of the 2011 Red Sox won AL Gold Glove Awards. And on Wednesday, three members of the Red Sox were presented with AL Silver Slugger Awards.

They are Jacoby Ellsbury (outfield), Adrian Gonzalez (1B) and David Ortiz (DH).

Here’s the release from the Red Sox:

Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and designated hitter David Ortiz have all been selected to the 2011 American League Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Team.

Silver Slugger Awards are presented annually to the top offensive players at each position in both the American and National Leagues by vote of managers and coaches.

Boston is the only team with three Silver Slugger winners in 2011 and it marks just the second time that three Red Sox players have won the award in the same year, previously accomplished in 2005 when Ortiz (DH), Manny Ramirez (OF) and Jason Varitek (C) were all selected. Boston has been represented on the AL Silver Slugger Team in each of the last 11 seasons beginning in 2001 and Red Sox players have won 36 Silver Sluggers since the award’s inception in 1980. Ellsbury and Gonzalez, who were also selected to the American League Rawlings Gold Glove Team yesterday, are the first Red Sox teammates to take home both awards in the same season. Dwight Evans (OF, 1981), Ellis Burks (OF, 1990), Jason Varitek (C, 2005) and Dustin Pedroia (2B, 2008) are the only other Red Sox players to accomplish the feat.

Ellsbury earned his first Silver Slugger Award after batting .321 (212-for-660) while setting career-highs with 46 doubles, 32 home runs, 119 runs scored, 105 RBI and 52 walks. The 28-year-old led the Majors with both 364 total bases, the most by any team’s primary leadoff hitter since San Francisco’s Bobby Bonds in 1973 (341), and 83 extra-base hits, and also ranked among American League leaders in hits (3rd), RBI (T-6th), runs (3rd), batting average (5th), slugging percentage (6th, .552), OPS (5th, .928), stolen bases (4th, 39), doubles (T-3rd), home runs (T-5th), multi-hit games (T-5th, 59), average vs. right-handers (3rd, .337), home average (6th, .326), road average (6th, .316), day average (2nd, .356) and average with runners in scoring position (4th, .366).

A first-time All-Star and the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2011, Ellsbury was just the fourth player in Major League history to accumulate at least 200 hits, 30 home runs, 100 RBI and 35 stolen bases in a season. He became the first Red Sox player ever to compile a season with at least 30 homers and 30 stolen bases and also became the first player in franchise history with a 30 homer/100 RBI season while serving as leadoff hitter. Ellsbury is the eighth Red Sox outfielder to win a Silver Slugger Award, the first since Jason Bay in 2009, and is one of three center fielders in club history to be honored as a Silver Slugger, along with Tony Armas (1984) and Ellis Burks (1990).

For more on Gonzalez and Big Papi as well as the full list of the 2011 AL & NL Silver Slugger Award winners, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the homepage.

For Gonzalez, 29, this marks his first career Silver Slugger Award. The left-handed batter led the Majors with 66 multi-hit games and matched Texas’ Michael Young for the Major League lead with 213 hits, tied for the fourth-highest single-season total in team history. He finished second in the Majors with a .338 batting average (630 AB), trailing only Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera (.344), and also ranked among AL leaders in RBI (3rd, 117), total bases (2nd, 345), doubles (T-6th, 45), extra-base hits (5th, 75), runs (5th, 108), slugging percentage (7th, .548), on-base percentage (3rd, .410), OPS (3rd, .957), intentional walks (3rd, 20), home average (3rd, .347), road average (3rd, .329), night average (4th, .348), day average (7th, .316), average vs. right-handers (2nd, .347) and average with runners in scoring position (6th, .337). Additionally, he finished second in the circuit with 30 go-ahead RBI and ranked third with 17 game-winning RBI.

An All-Star for the fourth straight season in 2011, Gonzalez was the only Major Leaguer to finish the year with at least 200 hits and 115 RBI. He is just the second Red Sox first baseman ever to win a Silver Slugger Award, along with Mo Vaughn in 1995, and is one of six players to win a Silver Slugger in their first season with the Red Sox, joining Carney Lansford in 1981 (3B), Don Baylor in 1986 (DH), Manny Ramirez in 2001 (OF), Bill Mueller in 2003 (3B) and Adrian Beltre in 2010 (3B).

This marks Ortiz’s fifth time as the designated hitter on the American League Silver Slugger team after earning the honor in four straight seasons from 2004-07. He passes Edgar Martinez and Paul Molitor, each of whom received the honor four times at the position, for the all-time lead in Silver Slugger Awards as a DH. The 35-year-old hit .309 with 162 hits, 70 extra-base hits, 40 doubles, a .398 on-base percentage, .554 slugging percentage and .953 OPS in 2011, all his best marks since 2007. He finished among overall AL leaders in average (6th), slugging (4th), on-base percentage (4th), OPS (4th), multi-hit games (9th, 51), extra-base hits (T-9th), walks (T-9th, 78), intentional walks (8th, 12), home average (4th, .342) and average vs. left-handed pitchers (8th, .329). Ortiz made all but two of his 138 starts this past season at DH, with two starts at first base during Interleague Play, and led all designated hitters in average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, extra-base hits, home runs (29), RBI (96), runs (84), walks and total bases (291).

With his 29 homers in 2011, Ortiz recorded his eighth season with at least 25 home runs, passing Jim Rice (7 seasons) for the second-most 25-homer campaigns ever for a Red Sox batter behind only Ted Williams (14). He also reached the 20-homer mark for the 10th straight year since 2002, and joins Albert Pujols and Alfonso Soriano as the only Major Leaguers with at least 20 homers in each season in that time. Selected as an All-Star for the seventh time, Ortiz set the all-time mark for RBI as a DH on April 2 with his 1,004th at the position, passing Edgar Martinez (1,003). He ended the season with 1,094 career RBI as a designated hitter and also holds the all-time mark for home runs at the position with 333.

American League National League
Pos. Player Team Silver Sluggers Pos. Player Team Silver Sluggers
1B Adrian Gonzalez BOS 1 1B Prince Fielder MIL 2
2B Robinson Cano NYY 3 2B Brandon Phillips CIN 1
SS Asdrubal Cabrera CLE 1 SS Troy Tulowitzki COL 2
3B Adrian Beltre TEX 3 3B Aramis Ramirez CHC 1
OF Curtis Granderson NYY 1 OF Ryan Braun MIL 4
OF Jose Bautista TOR 2 OF Matt Kemp LAD 2
OF Jacoby Ellsbury BOS 1 OF Justin Upton ARI 1
C Alex Avila DET 1 C Brian McCann ATL 5
DH David Ortiz BOS 5 P Daniel Hudson ARI 1

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Whale’s Chad Johnson Named Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month

HARTFORD, November 2, 2011:  The American Hockey League announced today that Connecticut Whale netminder Chad Johnson has been named the Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month for October.

CT WhaleJohnson made five appearances during October and compiled a 3-0-2 record, tying for the league lead among qualified goalies in both goals-against average (1.69) and save percentage (.942), while helping the Whale to first place in the Northeast Division.

Johnson made his first start of the season on Oct. 9 and made 41 saves in a 1-0 shootout victory over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, his sixth career shutout. Following shootout losses to Albany (28 saves) and Bridgeport (23 saves), Johnson turned aside 27 of 28 shots in a 4-1 win over Springfield on Oct. 23, and closed out the month with a 28-save effort in a 3-2 shootout win over Worcester on Oct. 29.

Drafted by Pittsburgh in 2006, Johnson was acquired by the New York Rangers on June 27, 2009, and is in his third professional season after playing collegiately at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The 25-year-old native of Calgary, Alta., has a career record of 43-37-7 in 92 AHL games with Connecticut, and has also appeared in six NHL contests with the Rangers.

In recognition of his achievement, Johnson will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Whale home game.

The Whale return to action at the XL Center this Friday night, November 4, hosting the new St. John’s IceCaps in a 7:00 game.  That will be a special “Power Ghouls” Night, complete with an on-ice costume parade and a special buy-one-get-one-free ticket with costume.

Friday night’s game will feature a Halloween costume parade on the ice during the first intermission, and prizes will be awarded for best kid’s costume and best adult’s costume.  Also, fans who come in costume can take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free offer on Upper Level tickets for Friday’s game.  That discount is available for both kids’ and adults’ tickets, through the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center only.

CL&P employees who present their company ID at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center will also be extended the buy-one-get-one-free offer on Upper Level tickets for Friday night.

Tickets to Friday night’s game, and all 2011-12 Whale home games, are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.

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