Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia took some time on Friday to talk with CSNNE’s Lou Merloni. In the interview, the pair talked about many a different things.
Five from the Fort with Dustin Pedroia
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By Brian Ring
Hartford, CT, February 24, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale defeated the Portland Pirates, 5-1, Friday night at the XL Center. Five different players scored for Connecticut, with Brendan Bell supplying the game-winning tally and Kelsey Tessier (1-1-2) and Tommy Grant (0-2-2) recording multi-point games. Chad Johnson made 26 saves, earning First Star of the game honors.
Three goals by the Whale in the second period helped to put the game out of reach, as Connecticut improved to 8-0-1-0 in its last nine games and maintained first place in the Northeast Division.
“It’s great when you can get two power-play goals on the night,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander, who was happy with his team’s specialty units and secondary scoring. “We had goals from (Andreas) Thuresson, (Jordan) Owens, a lot of different sources and I think that was important.”
The Whale took a 1-0 first period lead with 3:25 left in the opening frame, taking advantage of an extended five-on-three power-play situation. Defenseman Tim Erixon worked the puck down low to Mats Zuccarello, who found Andre Deveaux on the doorstep of Portland goaltender Justin Pogge (19 saves). Deveaux one-timed Zuccarello’s pass past Pogge for his 18th goal of the season.
Bell would increase the Whale lead to 2-0 4:04 into the second period, on a strange power-play goal. Bell’s pass across the slot went off the stick of a poke-checking Evan Bloodoff, who pushed the puck into his own net. The goal was the seventh of the season for Bell, coming unassisted.
Connecticut would not let up, as Thuresson scored to make it 3-0 just under four minutes later at 7:59. Tessier’s outlet pass from the Whale zone hit Portland defender Tyler Eckford in the neck, but the puck trickled right to the stick of Thuresson, who skated in on Pogge and scored with a nifty move.
The Whale would finish the middle frame up 4-0, as a dump-in from Chris McKelvie bounced to a fore-checking Jordan Owens, who was able to stuff the puck past the left skate of Pogge for his fifth goal of the season and the Whale’s third score of the period.
Marc-Antoine Pouliot would draw the Pirates to within 4-1 5:42 into the third period, his wrist shot beat Johnson (26 saves) high to the blocker side as Pouliot came down the slot. Andy Miele picked up the only assist on the score.
Kelsey Tessier would finish the scoring with a tap-in from the slot with 3:45 remaining in the third, as Grant recorded his second assist of the night on a nice dish from the corner. Scott Tanski also assisted on the goal.
The Whale are back in action Saturday night, when they take on I-91 rivals the Springfield Falcons at the MassMutual Center in Springfield (7:00). Connecticut will return home this Tuesday, when they host the Worcester Sharks at the XL Center for a special 11:00 AM start time.
Tickets to 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.
The Whale and the CT Hockey Hall of Fame will partner to hold a CT Hockey Hall of Fame night at the Whale’s home game at the XL Center Saturday, March 10 vs. the Norfolk Admirals. That night will mark the enshrinement of a new class of 2012 inductees into the CT Hockey Hall of Fame, which has adopted eight members from the storied Hartford Whalers Hall of Fame. The new inductees are: Connecticut-bred Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch, ex-Hartford Whalers 56-goal scorer Blaine Stoughton, former Whalers goaltender Mike Liut, former Whalers captain Pat Verbeek, Connecticut Whale/Hartford Wolf Pack franchise icon, long-time captain and current head coach Ken Gernander, three-time Olympic medalist for Team USA and all-time NCAA women’s leading scorer Julie Chu, and one of the founders of the New England Whalers, William E. Barnes. There will be an induction ceremony before the game, which faces off at 7:00 PM on March 10, and the new inductees will also be recognized on the ice during the first intermission. Fans can take home a special souvenir of the March 10 night, as 5,000 Hall of Fame posters will be given away, courtesy of SuperCuts. There will also be a special meet-and-greet event on March 10, details of which will be announced soon. This will be the first class of inductees since 1990, and further details are available at cthockeyHOF.org.
College students can get discounted tickets to Whale weekday games with the Whale’s “Ditch the Dorms” deal. For Monday through Friday home games, students who show a valid student ID at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center can get $2 off Upper Level tickets and $5 off Lower Level seats.
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, mini plans and great group discounts, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.
To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Portland Pirates 1 at Connecticut Whale 5
Friday, February 24, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Portland 0 0 1 – 1
Connecticut 1 3 1 – 5
1st Period-1, Connecticut, Deveaux 18 (Zuccarello, Erixon), 16:35 (PP). Penalties-Nightingale Ct (hooking), 6:46; Ross Por (hooking), 14:41; Eckford Por (interference), 15:29.
2nd Period-2, Connecticut, Bell 7 4:04 (PP). 3, Connecticut, Thuresson 12 (Tessier), 7:59. 4, Connecticut, Owens 5 (McKelvie, Grant), 18:52. Penalties-Eckford Por (tripping), 3:25; McKelvie Ct (holding), 5:07; Valentenko Ct (hooking), 5:52; Beaudoin Por (hooking), 14:33.
3rd Period-5, Portland, Pouliot 7 (Miele), 5:42. 6, Connecticut, Tessier 10 (Grant, Tanski), 16:15. Penalties-Bell Ct (delay of game), 11:15.
Shots on Goal-Portland 7-9-11-27. Connecticut 6-14-4-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Portland 0 / 4; Connecticut 2 / 4.
Goalies-Portland, Pogge 11-12-3 (24 shots-19 saves). Connecticut, Johnson 16-10-5 (27 shots-26 saves).
A-4,722
Referees-T.J. Luxmore (47).
Linesmen-Marty Demers (79), Brent Colby (7).
After talking with Tom Caron and Peter Gammons on the NESN Live set at Fenway South, Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz took his turn in the Jordan’s Shootout.
Previous contestants:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia Jordan’s Shootout
Clay Buchholz Jordan’s Shootout
Kevin Youkilis Jordan’s Shootout
Carl Crawford Jordan’s Shootout
Kelly Shoppach Jordan’s Shootout
Dustin Pedroia Jordan’s Shootout
Darnell McDonald Jordan’s Shootout
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Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz stopped by the NESN Live set at Fenway South on Friday night to talk with Tom Caron and Peter Gammons.
In the interview, the trio talked about how Big Papi is 20 pounds lighter this year and how he feels as though he’s an underdog this season among other things.
To watch part two of the interview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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With the nation’s eyes on Storrs, CT tomorrow with ESPN’s College GameDay in the house, the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team wants you to show some good sportsmanship.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=unOqWIVN8Ag?rel=0
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HARTFORD, February 24, 2012: Whalers Sports & Entertainment president and COO Howard Baldwin, Jr. announced today that the faceoff time for the Connecticut Whale’s home game Sunday, April 1 vs. the Providence Bruins at the XL Center has been changed to 2:00 PM.
The game was originally scheduled to be a 3:00 PM start.
Tickets to that game, 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.
With some time off for the weekend due to the NBA All-Star festivities, former UConn Huskies men’s basketball player and current Memphis Grizzlies small forward Rudy Gay will be heading back to Storrs. The reason?
He’ll be inducted into the “Huskies of Honor”. According to Kyle Muncy of UConn, Ben Gordon and Caron Butler will be honored next year.
Here’s the release from UConn:
STORRS, Conn. – Former University of Connecticut men’s basketball standout Rudy Gay will be inducted into the “Huskies of Honor” at the men’s basketball game vs. Syracuse on Saturday. The “Huskies of Honor” program began during the 2006-07 season and pays tribute in Gampel Pavilion to the top players, coaches and contributors in UConn men’s and women’s basketball history.
Gay is one of the most decorated players in UConn basketball history. He was a First Team All-American and All-BIG EAST performer in 2005-06, as well as the BIG EAST and National Freshman of the Year in 2004-05. He is currently in his sixth season in the NBA as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
As a sophomore in 2005-06, he was named First Team All-American by the NABC and the Rupp Award and one of four finalists for the Naismith National Player of the Year Award. He was named a Second Team All-American by the Associated Press, USBWA and ESPN.com. Gay earned All-BIG EAST, All-NABC and All-USBWA All-District First Teams. He was named to the NCAA Washington, D.C. Regional All-Tournament team as the Huskies advanced to the Elite Eight.
As a freshman in 2004-2005, he was named the National Freshman of the Year by The Sporting News, the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year and a unanimous All-Rookie Team selection.
The addition of Gay to the “Huskies of Honor” induction list increases the total number of UConn men’s basketball honorees to 21.
Players (17): Walt Dropo, Vin Yokabaskas, Art Quimby, Toby Kimball, Wes Bialosuknia, Tony Hanson, Corny Thompson, Clifford Robinson, Chris Smith, Donyell Marshall, Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Emeka Okafor, Kemba Walker, Worthy Patterson, Bill Corley, Rudy Gay.
Coaches (3): Hugh Greer, Dee Rowe, Jim Calhoun.
Contributors (1): John Toner-Director of Athletics.
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Photo credit: AP Photo
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 Men’s Basketball links
Jim Calhoun At Home … Surprisingly Calm, Collected [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]
What is the loudest you’ve ever heard Gampel Pavilion? [The UConn Blog]
Manchester Girls Basketball Player Keirstyn Schumpert (DeAndre Daniels sister) Diagnosed With Tumor [Hartford Courant]
Autism Is Jim Calhoun’s Biggest Opponent [Hartford Courant]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Geno Auriemma Talks About His Future [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Faris Likes Huskies’ Response Post-S.J. John’s, Not The Turnovers [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Team USA Exhibition Schedule Announced [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Geno talks about parity [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
UConn recruit honored [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Auriemma Ponders His Next Contract [Hartford Courant]
UConn Football links
Big East position rankings: DB [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]
UConn: From The NFL Combine [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Dave Teggart Hopes To Impress At NFL Combine [Hartford Courant]
Other UConn related links
Baseball. Baseball Set for Cougar Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]
M. Ice Hockey. Huskies To Close Out Regular Season With Pair Against AIC [UConnHuskies.com]
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The New England Patriots are preparing for the 2012 season already. The combine is currently underway in Indianapolis, then that is followed by the free agency period starting on March 17. And it caps with the NFL Draft in April in New York City.
The Patriots need help in some areas, those being wide receiver, pass rusher, linebacker and secondary. I think it’s pretty evident they need a deep threat on the outside. They need some of what Randy Moss gave them to help open it up more for Wes Welker (if he is still there) and the tight ends. It also allows Tom Brady to use a weapon he hasn’t been able to unleash as much as he had in the past and that’s the deep ball.
They also need a pass rusher, be it from the line or as a linebacker, they need a guy or group of guys who can terrorize an opponents quarterback on a regular basis. Andre Carter, who got hurt and finished the season on the IR, and Mark Anderson did a good job this season but they are free agents. I’d like to see them come back and add a linebacker who can rush. There’s also the possibility that LB Jermaine Cunningham going into his third season could finally become that player.
In the secondary they do have some help coming from IR in CB Ras-I Dowling who missed most of his rookie season with a hip injury.
I do see them pursuing a few free agents and some of the potential good fits include WR Brandon Lloyd, who played the last half of the season for new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in St. Louis. New England will also have significant interest in WR Mike Wallace of Pittsburgh, as long as the Steelers don’t use the franchise tag on him.
Look for them to look at some secondary help in free agency as well. This could come in the form of CB Cortland Finnegan of Tennessee and Kansas City’s young CB Brandon Carr; both are among the top defenders available. There may also be some interest in Oakland S Tyvon Branch, who grew up outside of Syracuse, NY and played his college football at UConn. New England could be of interest to Branch in being closer to family and friends.
With those needs the team also has its own free agents that need to be considered. Do they attempt to resign these players or do they let them walk?
To continue reading, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Here are the definitions of the free agent types.
UFA – unrestricted free agent, players with 4 or more years of service can sign with any team.
RFA – restricted free agent, players with 3 or more years of service who can sign with any team but original team has right to match the offer.
ERFA – exclusive rights free agent, player with two years of less who is not under contract. If his team makes him an offer at the 3 year veteran minimum salary he has to take it or leave the NFL. If no offer is made he is a free agent.
The Patriots free agents are:
QB Brian Hoyer – RFA
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis – UFA
RB Kevin Faulk – UFA
WR Wes Welker – UFA
WR Deion Branch – UFA
WR Matthew Slater – UFA
C/G Dan Connolly – UFA
C Dan Koppen – UFA
C/G Ryan Wendell – RFA
DE Andre Carter – UFA
DE Eric Moore – UFA
DE Shaun Ellis – UFA
DE Mark Anderson – UFA
DT Gerard Warren – UFA
DT Kyle Love – ERFA
LB Gary Guyton – UFA
LB Tracy White – UFA
CB Antwaun Molden – UFA
S James Ihedigbo – UFA
S Nathan Jones – UFA
S Bret Lockett – ERFA
Out of the free agents this is what I see the team doing.
Welker is tagged as the franchise player and gets the one-year average value salary unless he and the team negotiate a long-term deal before the league deadline.
Faulk is most likely going to retire and will not return. If he does play in 2012 it’s only in New England.
Green-Ellis, Branch, Connolly, Koppen, Molden, Ihedigbo and Jones I see being re-signed and remaining in Foxboro.
Carter, Anderson and Warren all want to stay I’d imagine the feeling is mutual as long as the price is right.
Slater could be enticed by another team with the prospect of playing wide receiver. He is pretty valuable to the Patriots as a special teams player but could possibly stay and be given a long look as a deep threat on the outside.
White I see returning to play special teams, where he excels, and fill in as a linebacker.
Moore, Ellis and Guyton I don’t see hanging around. At least Guyton and Ellis were in the doghouse at some point during the season and will probably be allowed to walk away without an offer. Moore will most likely seek more playing time elsewhere.
Hoyer will stay as Tom Brady’s back up until he becomes a UFA, then Mallett moves up.
Wendell I don’t see sticking around he can probably play more and get paid more on a rebuilding team.
Love is a guy I really think they give the 3 year veteran offer to, he adds a lot of depth to the defensive line and started a lot this past season. They may even look to do a longer contract with him and lock him up for say 3 years at suitable money.
Lockett is guy who I think is gone and will not get a ERFA offer from the team. He has had some off field incidents in the last year or so with his rap music and the whole Kim Kardashian incident, very un-Patriot like. He’d have been cut long ago if he wasn’t hurt.
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After taking his turn talking to Tom Caron and Peter Gammons on the NESN Live set at Fenway South on Thursday night, Boston Red Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald took his turn in the Jordan’s Shootout.
Previous contestants:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia Jordan’s Shootout
Clay Buchholz Jordan’s Shootout
Kevin Youkilis Jordan’s Shootout
Carl Crawford Jordan’s Shootout
Kelly Shoppach Jordan’s Shootout
Dustin Pedroia Jordan’s Shootout
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.