Filed under: Islanders, Oilers, NHL Fans, NHL Videos

Back in December, Ted Starkey passed along the accusation from Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller that an NHL referee told him to perform a seemingly impossible physical act of self-gratification during a game. Miller’s crime? Asking a question. Miller wouldn’t acknowledge which referee it was, and there’s no audio or video to confirm or deny his claim (though, why would he make it up?)

On Monday night, another NHL player was on the receiving end of some zebra-issued profanity. And this time we have the (NSFW) video to prove it.

With the Oilers leading the Islanders 3-2 late in the third period, Edmonton forward Kyle Brodziak skated through the neutral zone and collided with lineman Thor Nelson, much to the chagrin of Nelson.

A suitable response from Brodziak would have been to “get out of the [explevite] way.”

(H/T HFBoards for the video and that last line)

Linesman Thor Nelson Wants Kyle Brodziak to ‘Get His [Expletive] Head Up’ originally appeared on Fanhouse NHL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Bears, NFC North, NFL Media Watch

Carol Slezak, a writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, is trying to start a push for the Bears to sign Michael Vick when he is released from prison on July 20. In what appears to be an effort to avoid the inevitable venom headed her way in initial reactions — which most likely range from “you’re kidding me,” to profanity-laced tirades — she loaded this sucker up with disclaimers. Here’s an example:

Let’s assume he will leave federal prison rehabilitated in every way. Let’s assume he has learned the serious nature of his crimes and is repentant. Let’s assume he is drug-free. Let’s assume that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him. Under these circumstances, is there any reason why the Bears shouldn’t be interested in him?

That’s a ton of assumptions, but I’ll be a good sport. There’s nothing more frustrating in writing when people can’t slice through all the technicalities and hear you out. To answer her last question, I have a few reasons.

1. He gets out of freaking federal prison on July 20. That means he’ll have roughly six weeks to join the team, learn the offense, and develop a rapport with a sub-par, at best, receiving unit.

Chicago Sun-Times Writer Wants Michael Vick as the Chicago Bears’ 2009 Quarterback originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Cubs, NL Central, MLB Biz

I honestly can’t remember what it was like with the Cubs’ ownership firmly in place. We’ve been dealing with talks of the ownership for the past few years, things ranging from Mark Cuban’s involvement to Sam Zell trying to sell Wrigley Field and the Cubs separately to the situation handcuffing any possible trade talk with the Padres for Jake Peavy. Like the presence of Mark Prior for years, it’s lingering without any positive returns.

Anyway, it appears the sale of the Cubs from the Tribune Company may be seeing a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

The Chicago-based media conglomerate has been evaluating bids since the beginning of December and could make a decision within a week to 10 days, sources said.

Just when we get our hopes up, however, there is a caveat.

But one source cautioned that the process of narrowing the auction to one bidder still could be derailed, and Tribune Co. could pull the team and its landmark stadium off the market.

Sigh. Can’t we just get this crap overwith already and allow Jim Hendry to add payroll?

Sale of Chicago Cubs to Finally Conclude? originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: NHL General, NHL Draft, NHL Fans

FanHouse is keeping hockey fans updated on the happenings at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa.

When it was all said and done, the best team won the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Again.

Canada claimed their fifth straight gold medal Monday night with a 5-1 win over Sweden at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. The hosts were never seriously threatened during four of their six games in the tournament. When they did face adversity, they stepped up their game and won in spite of it.

Monday night, the Canadians were outshot by Sweden, but goaltender Dustin Tokarski (NHL rights: Tampa Bay) was at his very best. Looking like he did in the second and third periods against Team USA last week, Tokarski stopped 39 of 40 shots on the night. P.K. Subban (Montreal) gave Canada the lead just 38 seconds into the game, and Tokarski took it from there.

Canada Holds Off Sweden to Claim Fifth Straight World Junior Championship originally appeared on Fanhouse NHL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Cavaliers

Waiting For Next Year has the scoop on the new alternate jersey the Cavaliers will roll out. It’s the team’s fifth this season; WFNY has photos of the previous four (orange, blue, white and French’s mustard). In honor of Boobie Gibson Bobblehead Night and LeBron’s ongoing theological battle over Sunday’s traveling call, the Cavs will wear this shirt on Wednesday.

(OK, OK … I’m no Skeets. The real jerseys are here.)

Cavs Unveil Fifth Jersey of the Season originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Rice, Conference USA, NCAA FB Prospects

The most intriguing pro prospect in college football, Rice’s James Casey, has declared for the NFL draft. And if you’ve never heard of Casey and you’re not sure why he’s the nation’s most intriguing pro prospect, let us count the ways:

1. He’s 24 years old.
2. He only played two years of college football.
3. He’s a ridiculously good all-around athlete, having spent four years as a minor league baseball player and one season as a javelin thrower on Rice’s track team.
4. He was so versatile at Rice that he started his first spring practice at safety, then got moved to defensive end, and also lined up at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, fullback and running back. Oh, and he also played special teams.

And it’s that last one that is the most interesting of all, because we really have no idea what position the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Casey will play in the NFL. After setting a Conference USA single-season record for catches with 111 last year, one would assume he’ll play wide receiver or tight end, but that’s not necessarily the case.

Rice’s James Casey Declares for NFL Draft, But What Position Will He Play? originally appeared on Fanhouse NCAA Football Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submitted without comment by LSUFreek:

Filed under: Vikings, NFC North, NFL Playoffs

If you keep up with sports media, and by “keep up” I mean read anything, you have heard the claims over the last two days that the Vikings would have won their playoff game against Philadelphia with anyone behind center not named Tarvaris Jackson.

Jackson went 15-35 for only 164 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, which was so badly thrown it almost looked like he thought Asante Samuel was a wide receiver. The Eagles won and the Vikings are headed to a long off-season and it appears nobody in Minnesota can smile.

Now even backup quarterback Gus Frerotte, who played in 11 games this season and would have continued to start had he not hurt his back against the Lions in Week 14, is complaining about what happened, saying he may have been the answer.

“I just don’t know what to think right now,” Frerotte told Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports. “It was a very frustrating experience, because I felt like I should’ve been the one playing. That might sound selfish, but I think I would’ve given us the best chance to win. I’m going home to St. Louis [on Monday] to be with my family and figure out where things stand, but the way things played out at the end really makes me question things.”

Frerotte Thinks He Should’ve Played Against the Eagles, People With Brains Agree originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Colts

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison will not face charges for an incident in which someone was shot last year with a gun Harrison owned.

The Philadelphia district attorney said today that she is unable to move forward because she doesn’t believe there are credible witnesses who can testify about the shooting, which took place on April 29. Harrison could have faced felony charges simply for owning a gun that was involved in a shooting.

One of the people who was injured in the shooting has filed a civil suit against Harrison.

Marvin Harrison Will Not Face Charges for Philadelphia Shooting originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Golf

Here’s something you don’t hear every day (see what I did there) — golf, a true example of sport by most accounts, can also lead to hearing loss.

A new study by the British Medical Journal shows that due to the thinning titanium faces found on most drivers — and the “sonic boom” produced by head-to-ball contact (no snickering) — some players are losing their hearing. How bad are they saying it could get for your ears?

Some experts are suggesting earplugs. That will go well with my Argyle sweater.

Doctors at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital carried out tests on the keen golfer after he attended their clinic with unexplained tinnitus and reduced hearing in his right ear.

The tests confirmed that his hearing problems were typical of those seen with exposure to loud noises.

While I don’t doubt the studies of doctors, I am pretty sure you might be able to attribute said golfer’s hearing loss to other things. Like, maybe jamming to his iPod at noises a space shuttle would whimper to? Or, since this story comes out of Britain, I’m sure those trains (and the London tube) aren’t exactly lulling people to sleep.

Titanium Clubs Could Lead to Hearing Loss originally appeared on Fanhouse Golf Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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