I have a confession.
I have not been feeling very “sportsy” lately.
What does that mean exactly? Well, my life often revolves around sports. I have been known rearrange activities or even skip them because “the game” is coming on. I watch SportsCenter daily. I read ESPN.com daily to stay abreast on the latest happenings. And I answer at least one question a day from someone regarding something sports related.
I was minding my own business, drinking a nice hot cup of hot chocolate last night when I hear my mother say, “Ut oh. They were fighting at the race, again.” I reply, “Again?! Who was it this time?” Immediately we both began to search social media for answers.
A few weeks ago, after watching the finish of the Bank of America 500 in Charlotte, cameras were fixated on Brad Keslowski and Matt Kenseth. According to Kenseth, Keslowski immediately drove him into a wall during a restart. The damage to the car caused Kenseth to drop out of the top five and settle for a 19th place finish. With two laps to go, Kenseth retaliated by swerving into Keslowski. Following the finish, as the cars rolled down Pit Road, a still bitter Keslowski hit Kenseth, again, with his car. When both players exited their vehicles, words were exchanged while members of their respective crews tried to separate the two. A few minutes later, cameras are once again on Keslowski as he is walking alone between two trailers. Suddenly, like a thief in the night, Kenseth storms down the alley and proceeds to put Keslowski in a headlock.
As a reward, Keslowski was fined $50,000. Kenseth received no fine.
I do not even feel like sorting out yesterday’s fight that involved Jeff Gordon and yep, Keslowski. Young man stays brawling.
NASCAR is a very popular sport. It is a sport that I happen to love but I have noticed something. For all the brawls that have taken place over the years, there is a never a major uproar about them. Sure, I hear people talking about Tony Stewart and the Busch brothers all the time. One would think with the amount of swinging and intentional crashing that has been taking place on the speedway, we would hear more about the “violent” NASCAR drivers. Oh wait, we are talking NASCAR which means it is ok for drivers to have melees on occasion because it is part of the sport.
One has to wonder though? What makes their fights any different from the ones I have seen in the NFL? Or the NBA? Baseball is known for its bench clearing brawls but these are seemingly welcomed just as much as the seventh inning stretch its.
So I am left to ponder. Is there a double standard when it comes to fighting in certain professional sports? Oh wait. I do not need to ponder. I know the answer.
Until next time…TOODELLS.
I just want one day where I can turn on ESPN and they are talking about sports. Period. Actually I want more than one day but at this point in time, I will take what I can get.
OVER IT.
What an entertaining night of television last night. No, I was not watching Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. No, I was not watching Stephen Let’s Under the Dome. No, I was not watching You Got Served. I, of course, was tuned in to game six of the Stanley Cup Final. If you are a true sports fanatic, then this is a series you should have been watching since game one. I mean how often do you think you will see a playoff hockey game go into three overtimes, like game one did? Three of the first four games in the series went into overtime. That series was truly one for the record books.
Last night, the Chicago Blackhawks entered game six with a 3-2 lead over the Boston Bruins in the series. The Bruins were looking to win the game, tie the series and send the series back to Chicago for a decisive game seven. With about one minute and 30 seconds left, the Bruins dream looked like it would soon become reality. Notice the word looked. The Blackhawks, a team that had faced numerous deficits throughout the playoffs, found the strength to dig deep once more. With one minute and 17 seconds left in regulation, the Blackhawks Bryan Bickell snuck the puck in past the Bruins goalie, Tuukka Rask, to tie the game. With 67 seconds left, overtime is inevitable, right?
Wrong!! 17 seconds later, the Blackhawks, Dave Bolland, hits the back of the net to put the Blackhawks up 3-2, silencing the fans gathered at the TD Garden. With no miracle under the skates, the Bruins were unable to score and the Blackhawks captured their second Stanley Cup in the last four years.
I know a lot of you do not like hockey, mainly because you do not understand the rules. I am no expert when it comes to the rules but I find the game to be very enjoyable to watch especially during the playoffs. My hand-eye coordination is not the greatest, hence the reason I did not play softball pass eighth grade, so I am always amazed how hockey players keep up with that little puck. Couple that with the fact that they are doing this while on ice skates and trying to avoid, to some extent, getting into a fight with a player from the opposing team, you have one heck of a sport on your hands.
If you have never been to a hockey game, give it a try. The game is very exciting and there is constant movement. You may not understand what is going on. You may be clueless about a power play. You may not comprehend why they can fight and not get ejected. If you can understand that one team has to get the little black puck past the other team’s goalie to score, then you are well on your way to grasping the sport of hockey. So, give it a try! I promise it is worth it, especially when the playoffs come back around. Just ask my cousin TJ.
Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks!!!
Until next time….TOODELLS!
Kassie Nette's Korner 