Road to the Stanley Cup
BY:MICHAEL CRISITELLO
The games are set! The Anaheim Ducks, The Montreal Canadiens,
the St. Louis Blues, and the New York Rangers have all clinched the #1
seed for the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. For 20 straight years the Anaheim Ducks have made the playoffs and
this year they will continue the streak. The Ducks are the best team in their
division with a record of 51247 and counting. They should have an easy
win against the Winnipeg Jets to advance to the next round.
On the other hand the New York Rangers have a record of 53227.
Henrik Lundqvist, the goalie of the Rangers, is one of the best goalies in
the league, allowing an average of only 1.53 goals per game. The first
round of the playoffs they face the Pittsburgh Penguins, a #4 seed,who has
won the Stanley Cup multiple times. This should be a good game, but I
trust the Rangers will come out with a win.
The St. Louis Blues should have a cake walk against The Minnesota
Wild as they beat the Wild 32 and 42 in previous games. The Blues have
scored 248 goals this season and only allowed 201 goals to slide past
them. As the second best team in the league, behind the Rangers, The St.
Louis Blues are bound to come up on top.
The games are set! The Anaheim Ducks, The Montreal Canadiens,
the St. Louis Blues, and the New York Rangers have all clinched the #1
seed for the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. For 20 straight years the Anaheim Ducks have made the playoffs and
this year they will continue the streak. The Ducks are the best team in their
division with a record of 51247 and counting. They should have an easy
win against the Winnipeg Jets to advance to the next round.
On the other hand the New York Rangers have a record of 53227.
Henrik Lundqvist, the goalie of the Rangers, is one of the best goalies in
the league, allowing an average of only 1.53 goals per game. The first
round of the playoffs they face the Pittsburgh Penguins, a #4 seed,who has
won the Stanley Cup multiple times. This should be a good game, but I
trust the Rangers will come out with a win.
The St. Louis Blues should have a cake walk against The Minnesota
Wild as they beat the Wild 32 and 42 in previous games. The Blues have
scored 248 goals this season and only allowed 201 goals to slide past
them. As the second best team in the league, behind the Rangers, The St.
Louis Blues are bound to come up on top.
Roland Garros Preview
by Ryan Elaoud
With the 2015 French Open coming up the pros are training hard and recovering from their previous matches. As always the newcomers and the returning champions will all fight for the second Grand Slam of 2015, Roland Garros.
Ok, lets look at the ATP. Most people think that the defending champion of the French Open, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, will win the French Open as always, getting his 10th career title, a new record, beating his previous record of 9 French Open titles. I agree with these people although I think that he will face some challenges along the way. Other people who are not fans of Rafa or think he should retire, hope that he will give newcomers a chance to win the title. But that brings a question. Will the newcomers like the Aussie Nick Kyrgios be able to even get past other top ten players like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer? If not, what is the point of the master of clay, Rafael Nadal, to give a chance to the newcomers? Now that is my question to you. But if you ask me, I want Rafa to win although my favorite player is the maestro of tennis, Roger Federer.
Listen up, now red clay is different from other tennis court surfaces like grass or hard court. Red clay is a lot slower than other court surfaces and the ball also bounces a lot lower than average. So that means if you play tennis on red clay, you would have to have amazing footwork to be able to get to the ball, set up, and hit it the way you want to the area on the court you want. Also on red clay, the court lines are marked with white tape nailed into the ground. That also means that if the ball hits the line or “tape” the ball will have an awkward bounce and catch you off guard. But, I know what you are thinking, “That must be so annoying and suck right?” The pros have to deal with these situations in the French Open making it a challenging Grand Slam! But also exciting… Although there are disadvantages to red clay there are some advantages as well. Red clay helps you practice on your speed, anticipation skills, and your ability to slide on clay. Thats right… slide. Cool huh?
Ok, lets look at the ATP. Most people think that the defending champion of the French Open, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, will win the French Open as always, getting his 10th career title, a new record, beating his previous record of 9 French Open titles. I agree with these people although I think that he will face some challenges along the way. Other people who are not fans of Rafa or think he should retire, hope that he will give newcomers a chance to win the title. But that brings a question. Will the newcomers like the Aussie Nick Kyrgios be able to even get past other top ten players like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer? If not, what is the point of the master of clay, Rafael Nadal, to give a chance to the newcomers? Now that is my question to you. But if you ask me, I want Rafa to win although my favorite player is the maestro of tennis, Roger Federer.
Listen up, now red clay is different from other tennis court surfaces like grass or hard court. Red clay is a lot slower than other court surfaces and the ball also bounces a lot lower than average. So that means if you play tennis on red clay, you would have to have amazing footwork to be able to get to the ball, set up, and hit it the way you want to the area on the court you want. Also on red clay, the court lines are marked with white tape nailed into the ground. That also means that if the ball hits the line or “tape” the ball will have an awkward bounce and catch you off guard. But, I know what you are thinking, “That must be so annoying and suck right?” The pros have to deal with these situations in the French Open making it a challenging Grand Slam! But also exciting… Although there are disadvantages to red clay there are some advantages as well. Red clay helps you practice on your speed, anticipation skills, and your ability to slide on clay. Thats right… slide. Cool huh?
Tank for a Top 10
By Danny Tow
The Baltimore Ravens suck. They are currently 1-5, and just lost 25-20 to the San Francisco 49ers, arguably the worst team in the NFC. Their upcoming games include a trip to Arizona, to take on the 4-2 Cardinals, who have scored more points through their first 6 games than all but 6 other teams in NFL history. They will then take take on the 2-4 Chargers at home, who despite their record, boast one of the hottest QB’s in the NFL, Philip Rivers, who just passed for 503 yards against the Packers. The point is, it’s not getting better any time soon. My prediction? If the Ravens continue to try to win for the rest of the season, they will finish 4-12. But why not consider what is known today as, “the 76ers Strategy”, named for the biggest tanking project since World War 2. This year’s NFL draft will feature several very talented players at positions of need, such as wide receiver and cornerback. Why not try to lose as many games as possible so that they can earn the right to select an EXTREMELY talented player? The Ravens have picked in the top 10 of the draft 6 times in their 20 years, with just 1 of those selections coming after their Super Bowl win in 2000. (2003, Terrell Suggs). However, the Ravens top 10 picks have all been at #10, besides the first and second draft as a franchise. Another interesting fact: all but 1 of those top 10 picks either became a Pro Bowler, or a league statistical leader. If the Ravens “tank”, the veteran leaders and the coaching staff will help turn another top 10 pick into a superstar.
Players Outside of Sports Part 1
By Shaan Goel
I know the many things that some professional sports players are thought to do. Drugs, alcohol, violence, and possibly jail time. That is a stereotype that is unfortunately still found true in many cases. But that is not the case for Torrey Smith. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, 58th overall, Torrey Smith has had many struggles in his life. His younger brother Tavon died in a motorcycle accident and as a child, Torrey had to do most of the work in the house, and take care of his siblings. His future in football was unthinkable at the time, but once he picked up the call from the Ravens in 2011, his life changed dramatically.
He started out as one of the best wide receivers for the Ravens and had 50 catches for 7 touchdowns in his rookie year, and is still a standout receiver for the Ravens. Torrey also won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. He also set up a foundation called the Torrey Smith Foundation with his wife Chanel Williams. The mission of the Torrey Smith Foundation is to better the lives of the Baltimore area youth by providing educational support, opportunities, and resources. The goal is to have touched the lives of more than 35,000 children by 2016.
Torrey Smith has gone from rags to riches and has turned his life around for the better. Torrey now has a son named Torrey Smith Jr, or TJ. Torrey is now helping other children out in Baltimore have a better future, and possibly one in football!
He started out as one of the best wide receivers for the Ravens and had 50 catches for 7 touchdowns in his rookie year, and is still a standout receiver for the Ravens. Torrey also won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. He also set up a foundation called the Torrey Smith Foundation with his wife Chanel Williams. The mission of the Torrey Smith Foundation is to better the lives of the Baltimore area youth by providing educational support, opportunities, and resources. The goal is to have touched the lives of more than 35,000 children by 2016.
Torrey Smith has gone from rags to riches and has turned his life around for the better. Torrey now has a son named Torrey Smith Jr, or TJ. Torrey is now helping other children out in Baltimore have a better future, and possibly one in football!
Look Out for the Rookies!!!
by Shaan Goel
The 2015 NFL Draft was full of surprises and players who are looking for an outstanding season. The draft this year in my opinion was more defense oriented, showing that the offensive rookies that were selected were top notch and ready to face-off against some of the toughest defenses in the league. One team that selected well in the first round were the Chicago Bears, who selected wide receiver Kevin White out of West Virginia. The Bears needed a big and fast receiver to replace Brandon Marshall, and they got just what they were looking for in the seventh overall pick. Kevin White not only has great hands, but he ran a 4.35 second 40 yard dash and shows off great strength with 23 reps on the bench press. Kevin White can really help a struggling Jay Cutler this season.
Another great draft selection in the first round of the draft was Trey Waynes, cornerback out of Michigan State. The Minnesota Vikings picked him up eleventh overall, and they are going to get what they paid for. Trey is a great bump and run corner, meaning that he will bump the receiver at the line to throw him off his route. He can also read routes effectively and jump on the ball just at the right time to deflect it, or even intercept the ball. Other than smarts, Trey Waynes shows great strength, with nineteen reps and can run after fast receivers after running an impressive 4.31 seconds.
Skip to the fourth round of the draft, the Cincinnati Bengals found great value for his position in the draft, selecting defensive end Marcus Hardison 135th overall. Selected honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2014 after leading team with 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, Marcus Hardison is looking at a standout rookie season. After playing QB in high school, Marcus Hardison put on some pounds and dropped some quarterbacks. He recognizes the snap count really well to catch opposing linemen off guard and penetrate the defense.
This years draft class was full of surprises and excitement, but lets just see which surprises will turn out to be great in the future.
Another great draft selection in the first round of the draft was Trey Waynes, cornerback out of Michigan State. The Minnesota Vikings picked him up eleventh overall, and they are going to get what they paid for. Trey is a great bump and run corner, meaning that he will bump the receiver at the line to throw him off his route. He can also read routes effectively and jump on the ball just at the right time to deflect it, or even intercept the ball. Other than smarts, Trey Waynes shows great strength, with nineteen reps and can run after fast receivers after running an impressive 4.31 seconds.
Skip to the fourth round of the draft, the Cincinnati Bengals found great value for his position in the draft, selecting defensive end Marcus Hardison 135th overall. Selected honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2014 after leading team with 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, Marcus Hardison is looking at a standout rookie season. After playing QB in high school, Marcus Hardison put on some pounds and dropped some quarterbacks. He recognizes the snap count really well to catch opposing linemen off guard and penetrate the defense.
This years draft class was full of surprises and excitement, but lets just see which surprises will turn out to be great in the future.