The 2016 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 1

The National Hockey League (NHL) is about to enter a most interesting time. Eastern and Western Conference teams have played 82 games for the chance to enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The season saw teams make miraculous turnarounds in the second half of the season when most wrote them off based on their early win-loss record. Call-ups from the American Hockey League (AHL) to replace injured players made the difference in achieving this positive result. Another impetus for the reversal of fortunes could be that organizations made coaching changes.

There was a sense of suspense as two games that were postponed due to the January snowstorm were played on April 10^th, 2016-the day after the season officially ended.  In the first game, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Washington Capitals to win the Pacific Division by one point. Through this victory, the Ducks pushed the Los Angeles Kings out of the top spot.  The second match-up that day featured the New York Islanders, whose loss to the Philadelphia Flyers decided the playoff destiny of not one, but two teams(The Islanders fly to Florida to begin Round 1 while their rival-the New York Rangers- are set to face the Pittsburgh Penguins).    

The alignment from the 2015 bracketing system remains the same as last years’ playoffs. Round 1 is a field of 16 total teams. In each conference, there are two brackets per division as the top three teams earn their way in and wild card entrants are selected based on their record and other factors to face the two division champions. The chance to get into the playoffs pushes the non-guaranteed playoff teams to make every point count.

Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will not have any of the 7 Canadian teams in the National Hockey League. Just as the Canadian teams failed to qualify for the playoffs, the Boston Bruins are also missing from the brackets for the second consecutive year.  Here is an overview of the match-ups:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

#1 and Atlantic Division Champions-Florida Panthers

#4 and Metropolitan Division Wild Card 1 of 2- New York Islanders

-In a peculiar case, there are two wild card entrants from the Metropolitan Division. Inserted to this bracket through their loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the New York Islanders have a young team that is made up of strong players and AHL call-ups…The Florida Panthers have leadership in veteran presence Jaromir Jagr and a youthful squad of its own.

#2-Tampa Bay Lightning*

#3-Detroit Redwings*

-The Tampa Bay Lightning hold steady in their division slot from the 2014-2015 season and are hoping to capture the Stanley Cup that escaped their grasp last year… Detroit also maintains their playoff ranking from the 2014-2015 season, and are going to be strive to get Pavel Datsyuk one last championship before he retires. 

Metropolitan Division

#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions- Washington Capitals

#4 and Metropolitan Division Wild Card 2 of 2-Philadelphia Flyers

-As the second of the Metropolitan Division Wild Card entrants, The Philadelphia Flyers re-enter the playoff picture and have a tall order ahead of them. They have to overcome the offensive power of a Washington Capitals team led by Alex Ovechkin...Washington has to face a Flyers squad that turned its season around to become a contender.

#2- Pittsburgh Penguins

#3-New York Rangers

-Though their playoff rankings shifted from the 2014-2015 season, these two rivals find themselves matched up in the Round 1 brackets once again…Pittsburgh Penguins are out for revenge as the New York Rangers bested them in the playoffs last year… New York needs to win to maintain their post-season mastery of the hockey team from “the Steel City”.

The Western Conference set-up is primed for a possible repeat as the 2015 champion Chicago Blackhawks are in the playoff picture. There are no Canadian teams in this conference to battle for the richest prize in the NHL, but the state of California is well represented.

Central Division

#1  and Western Conference Champions-Dallas Stars

#4 and Central Division Wild Card 1 of 2 Minnesota Wild*

-The Dallas Stars are now in the post-season conversation with the help of Stanley Cup champion-and former Chicago Blackhawk- Patrick Sharp and the emerging talent Jamie Benn… Minnesota Wild have retained their 2014-2015 ranking and are the first of two wild card teams from the Central Division.

#2-St Louis Blues

#3-Chicago Blackhawks*

 -Chicago’s dynasty was cemented last year when they won the 2015 Stanley Cup Championship.  The Blackhawks do not have Patrick Sharp, but have other key players like Patrick Kane…The St. Louis Blues are missing T.J Oshie, and will have to find others to rely on for offense against the strong Chicago Blackhawks.

Pacific Division

#1 and Pacific Division Champions-Anaheim Ducks*

# 4 and Central Division Wild Card 2 of 2-Nashville Predators

- The Anaheim Ducks maintain their 2014-2015 division standing, defeating the League-Leading Washington Capitals to attain this spot…Nashville challenges Anaheim’s hopes of a championship and could bust brackets with a series win.

#2-Los Angeles Kings

#3-San Jose Sharks

-It is a battle for California as two teams vie for a chance to advance. The Los Angeles Kings come back to the post-season after not qualifying in 2015…For San Jose, the drive to reach the finals has always been there. This team aims high only to fall short in the Western Conference Finals or earlier. 2016 could be their year if they have their offense, defense and goaltending clicking.

Final Thoughts: 1- New York Rangers will be focused on the Stanley Cup after coming so close last year; 2-New York Islanders youth will have to contend with the seemingly ageless hockey skill of Jaromir Jagr if they are to succeed; 3- Tampa Bay Lightning players are out to finish what they started last year.; 4. The denizens of California will have three teams to cheer for this post-season.; 5. The Central Division and Metropolitan Division are going to make an impact in Round 1. 

Round 1 commences Wednesday April 13^th, 2016.

*Notates any team whose 2015-2016 standing did not differ from their 2014-2015 ranking.

This Time Last Week: The Orchestra Featuring Former Members of Electric Light Orchestra

November 8^th, 2015-Uncasville, CT-The Orchestra brought their act to the Mohegan Sun Arena as part of a private event. People lined up outside the Member Services office to redeem their reservation, ID and player card in hand.  A casino employee requested the person’s 4-digit code before issuing the tickets.

Since the concert started at 7:00pm, casino patrons could try their luck at the many slot machines and table games. One could also shop. There was a buffet, two food courts, and several restaurant options available to grab some dinner before the show.

After a bit of gaming and a meal, I made my way to the Mohegan Sun Arena for the show. The Orchestra, which featured former members of the Electric Light Orchestra, started their concert on time. From the opening number “Evil Woman” to the encore “Don’t Bring Me Down”, the show did not disappoint. During the evening, the group performed their greatest hits, which included songs from the albums “Time” and “Out of The Blue” (released as a 2-record-set and later a single CD).  Their songs had great hooks and the musicianship was a wonder to see. Standouts from the set list of this concert included:  “All Over The World”, “Xanadu” , “Hold On Tight”, “Strange Magic”, “Livin' Thing”, “Turn to Stone”, “Telephone Line”.

Toward the end of the 90 minute set, this band introduced each other.  Parthenon Huxley was on vocals as well as being one of the guitarists. On the “psychedelic” bass guitar and vocals was Glen Burtnik, who has worked with numerous artists in the past. The drummer was Gordon Townsend.  An original member of ELO, Mik Kaminski answered the1973 band ad for a violinist. One of the keyboardists, Louis Clark had been a part of ELO since the “El Dorado” album and did musical arrangements. Other bandmates included Eric Troyer on keyboard and vocals and Louis Clark Jr. on electric violin and acoustic guitar.

After the concert, fans filed out chatting amongst themselves. They left through the arena doors with an experience that they will never forget. 

Source: My Personal ELO CD Collection, http://www.theorchestra.net/

   

Barnes and Noble Appearances: NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice “50 Years, 50 Moments”

November 3^rd,2015-New York, NY- Former San Francisco 49er and Oakland Raider Jerry Rice made an appearance at the Citigroup Center Barnes and Noble (160 E. 54^th Street) to promote his collaborative work with Randy O. Williams “50 Years,50 Moments: the Most Unforgettable Plays in Super Bowl History”. This book provides insight into memorable moments of the National Football League’s annual championship game.

The line formed upstairs near the cook books at least 3 hours ahead of time. Some came wearing Jerry Rice’s #80 Oakland Raiders’ jersey.  The crowd eagerly awaited the event and freely talked amongst themselves while awaiting further instructions.

Security guards did their job, checking for receipts and grey wristbands. When people presented their books, the store representatives showed the page that Rice would be signing. They were told to take their pictures while on the line. The event had to move along, so there would be no personalization in the book and no other memorabilia was going to be signed.  After issuing these directions, everyone stood up for a half hour before the event so the staff could do a count of the line.

Jerry Rice showed up to start the book signing at exactly 12 noon. He applauded those assembled as he passed by them. He momentarily stopped to shake the hand of a man who referenced Rice’s recent McDonald’s commercial.  Once he began signing books, he thanked each person for coming out. A fan referenced the NFL ring on his finger, which he was proud to mention.

After the book signing, the crowd was directed out of the event area. One left with the satisfaction of having met a NFL legend.  The signed book that they took home may even bring back some of their favorite memories of Super Bowls gone by.        

Sign Advertising Jerry Rice Signing

Jerry Rice was at Barnes and Noble to sign "50 Years, 50 Moments"

Live From Mohegan Sun Arena: Bellator 144

On October 23^rd, 2015, Bellator Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) brought its brand of entertainment to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Fans filed in when the doors opened for the event that was set to go live on Spike TV at 9:00pm. They were able to visit the fan experience station, and even meet two of the company’s athletes: Kimbo Slice and Light Heavyweight World Champion Liam McGeary.

My observations and match results:

Preliminary (Prelim) Fights

1. Lightweights: T.J. Hepburn (4-1-0) vs. Sam Watford (0-0-0)-Watford was making his debut, hoping for a victory over the more experienced Hepburn. This fight went to a decision after 3 rounds, with the three judges ruling in favor of Sam Watford.

2. Catchweights: Marius Enache (2-3-0) vs. Pete Rogers (2-2-0)-Their two records differentiated by one loss, this match could have gone either way. It went to two rounds, with Enache luring his opponent into an arm lock submission hold at 2:37.

3. Welterweights: Jeremie Holloway (7-0-0) vs. Matt Secor (6-2-0) - Matt Secor and Jeremie Holloway grappled on the mat throughout the first round; the bell rung to end the round with both fighters having no clear advantage over the other. Round 2 would be a different story as Matt Secor zeroed in on Holloway’s ankle, applying pressure to the heel to force a submission victory at 4:54.

4. Light Heavyweights: Kevin Haley (3-3-0) vs. Mike Zichelle (7-3-0)-Zichelle was busted open by his eye during the bout, which presented Haley with an opening for his onslaught. Though cut, Zichelle made Haley pay with punches and kicks of his own. The fight went all 3 rounds and went to the judges’ decision. After deliberation, the scores were as follows: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, all in favor of the winner Kevin Haley.

5. Featherweights : Matt Bessette (15-7-0) vs. Kevin Roddy (15-15-0)-Both fighters circled one another, exchanging takedowns and strikes. Bessette had to deflect Roddy’s air kicks while getting in a few shots of his own to his opponent’s hamstrings. An Inverted Heel Lock put an end to the fight as Kevin Roddy verbally tapped out at 3:47 of Round 1

6. Flyweights:  Billy Giovanella (8-4-0) vs. Brandon Polcare (1-0-0)-This match did not get out of Round 1. Giovanella drew Polcare into the Triangle Choke submission, earning the victory at the 2:19 mark.

7. Bantamweights: Kin Moy (7-2-0) vs. Walter Smith-Cotito (3-3-0)-Mat-based grappling took place throughout the bout as Moy tried to take down Smith-Cotito.  Both tried to establish a power base to varying degrees of success in the first two rounds of the fight.  Finally, Kin Moy utilized a Rear-Naked Chokehold to take down his opponent at 3:53 into Round 3.

Spike TV Live Broadcast

  1. Welterweights: Michael Page (8-0-0) vs. Charlie Ontiveros (6-3-0)-In his Bellator Debut, Ontiveros went up against a quick striker in Michael Page. Page took every opportunity to send his opponent into the mat. The undefeated fighter viciously targeted his opponent’s head with elbow shots until the ref ruled the contest a Technical Knock Out (TKO) in 3:20 of Round 1*Fight protocol was followed as Ontiveros was taken out on a stretcher*

 2. Featherweights: Isao Kobayashi (17-2-4) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2-0) – Kobayashi was making his United States MMA Debut against the Japanese Brazilian Yamauchi. This three round fight could be summed up in exciting moments that saw the two men try to weaken the other with submission holds and takedowns. At one point, Kobayashi was able to break out the Kimura Lock, a move which placed his shoulder at an unnatural angle, by twisting the affected arm out of the hold. As the fight wound down to the third and final round, Yamauchi wrapped his legs around his opponent and applied the Rear-Naked Chokehold for the win 3:50 of Round 3.

3. Welterweights: Dennis Olson (14-9-0) vs. Brennan Ward (11-3-0)-Brennan Ward was the local hero, an MMA athlete with an interest in skateboarding and taking out opponents in the MMA cage. Dennis Olson was the one who did not care about crowd reaction, flipping “the double bird” to anyone and everyone. Olson’s attitude did not win him any cheers or sympathy. Ward grappled with his opponent on the mat to establish a powerbase, but Olson seemed to prefer the ground game. The ref halted this strategy, forcing the men to restart the bout in the center of the ring. After the restart, Ward used his impressive punches to slow down Olson. Olson had no defense for the brutal assault and the ref ruled the fight a Round 1 Knock Out (KO) at the 4:37 mark.

4. Middleweight Title on the Line: Rafael Carvalho (11-1-0) vs. Brandon Halsey (9-0-0)-After failing to make weight for a fight, Brandon Halsey had the Middleweight Title taken away from him. Halsey re-focused on earning back what was his, leading up to this night. Bellator gave him another chance to get his belt back against Rafael Carvalho.  Carvalho was a no-nonsense opponent who vowed to end the bout quickly with his accurate strikes and punches; after a kick to the liver and a follow-up punch to the head, Halsey went down 1:42 into Round 2. With the.Knock Out (KO) victory, Rafael Carvalho became the new Bellator Middleweight Champion.     

   Post-Live TV Fight Card

  1. Catchweights: Keenan Raymond (2-1-0) vs. Damien Trites (6-6-0)-Both fighters had a tentative first round, each trying to gain an offensive advantage over the other. Early into Round 2, Trites was able to put Raymond into the Kimura Lock armbar; his opponent tapped out in 1:17 of that second round.  

2.Welterweights: Ilya Kotau (1-0-0) vs. Kemran Lachinov (1-1-0)-Both utilized their grappling skills during the first round.  In Round 2, Kotau tapped out after being put into a knee bar submission hold at 2:57.

Overall, it was a great night of MMA action. Every contest had fighters that were willing to give their all with local fans, their friends, and their family members in attendance. 

Bellator can be seen on Spike TV. Check Spike TV’s website for more information.

Sources http://bellator.spike.com/events/64gvja/bellator-144-halsey-vs-carvalho

http://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/749/bellator-144

http://www.sherdog.com/events/Bellator-144-Halsey-vs-Carvalho-47333