Stanley Cup Finals Analysis

Haligonia Sports contributor Henry Whitfield predicts the Flyers will defeat Chicago in 7 Games.

It’s wild to think that just a few weeks ago the season was winding down. The Toronto Maple Leafs were already golfing, Ottawa Senator and Montreal Canadiens fans thought they had a shot at going all the way and the Philadelphia Flyers squeaked into the playoffs by a nose.

Flash forward in true "Lost" fashion and we now sit with a matchup of what a month ago would have been called a ‘David verse Goliath” battle.

Goliath being the powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks who were looking for a solid goaltending all season and have finally found it in young Antti Niemi and the resurgent Broad Street Bullies who have huffed and puffed to get their way to the finals.

In a new twist, here are my 5 keys to the series and then you will find my prediction for this series:

•Goaltending Matchup – Big GIGANTIC surprise Finish flash Antti Niemi goes head to head with even bigger surprise Canadian Michael Lieghton. Niemi sits with a 921 save %, while Lieghton holds a sterling 948. The Canuck also takes the GAA category with a 1.45 versus the Fins 2.33. Throw in the factor that the Philadelphia had three shutouts in the last round and were able to beat the shotblocking kings at their own game last round, I will throw advantage to the Flyers.

•Bridesmaid syndrome - Always the bridesmaid and never the bride? Marian Hossa has been on the losing end of a Stanley Cup series for the last two years seasons and it may just be time for that to change. He has averaged just under 18-minutes of ice time a game but after three rounds has just 2 goals. Two goals?! With 51 shots taken he now holds a 3.9% shooting average. He is also second on the Blackhawks in Penalty minutes with 21 already, and he has shown a lack of composure that is out of character. Another disappointing performance from him in the playoffs will to finish with Hossa wondering the eternal question: Who’s can I jump to next.

•The Buff Factor – Raise your hand if you’re sick of hearing about Dustin Byfuglien. Perfect. Well, get ready to stop seeing his name on the score sheet. The truck of a man has been busy sitting in front of nets all playoffs; getting up close and personal with both Roberto Luongo and Evgeni Nabokov, easily getting the better of both. However, the Flyershave one asset that will help even the battle: Chris Pronger. The defensive talisman of the bullies will be tasked with clearing out the garbage in front of Leighton and make no mistake, he will manhandle the Big

Buff

The Old workhorse – Chris Pronger is getting old and entering the twilight of his career. He has been to the finals of the Stanley Cup three times in recent years and there will only be a few more opportunities for him to win the Holy Grail of hockey. The 35-year-old, 6’6″, 220 pound Canadian defencemen has his eyes set on another ring, so look for him to play like a man possessed and be a key factor in this series.

•Home Ice Advantage - In a series that many think will go seven games, the issue of home ice advantage can be key to lifting the cup. The Flyers have scored 28 goals at home, with just 14 against. On the other hand they scored 26 on the road and allowed 22 against. The Blackhawks 21 at home and allowed 23 against, while scoring a big 32 on the road and allowed just 17 against. What does this mean? Maybe nothing, maybe everything. But if you’re looking at home-ice advantage, the Blackhawks have been outscored at home in these playoffs there and maybe it’s the edge the Flyers need?
So with all that out-of-the-way, it comes down to this: My prediction is…

The Philadelphia Flyers will stun the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games.


Henry Whitfield lives in Halifax and is an avid sports fan who covers everything and anything in the sports world, while focusing on hockey and football. Follow him on twitter @HenryWhitfield.

Big American Market vs. Big American Market = Success for NHL

by Joel Mac Dougall

While I’m sure Gary Bettman had considered either restructuring the playoff format or moving Washington the Western Conference to try and get a Crosby v. Ovechkin Stanley Cup Final, he should be quite satisfied with what he has ended up with.

With the Chicago Blackhawks facing the Philadelphia Flyers in the final, the NHL gets the 3rd and 4th largest television markets pitted against one another. Both cities have passionate fan bases that will certainly be ramped up for the action. But Cup Fever could spread across the U.S. as both cities can draw on historical allegiances as long time members of the NHL fraternity.

It also doesn’t hurt that some of the best playoff hockey in years in being watched by our good friends to the south in record numbers.

[NBC] playoff coverage of the first three rounds drew an average overnight rating of 1.5 for the nine playoff games the network televised. This was up 14% from last year’s eight games, which averaged a 1.3.

I don’t know what all the numbers mean, but I am sure you can get a better education from Puck the Media. More people in Chicago watched the Hawks eliminate the Sharks in the afternoon, than the series finale of LOST and The Apprentice during prime time. All I know is, what they’re saying sounds like money in the bank for the NHL. Especially considering that ESPN has been kicking the tires about getting back into the hockey racket.

The NHL has long tried to sell its wares to U.S. audiences with marquee names with high skill level. The hype machine has been going full bore since both Crosby and Ovechkin entered the league. Beyond those two however, little has been done in promoting other high level talents by the local market in which they played. Finally U.S. hockey fans will get a better chance to see some of the most exciting young players in the league, they may have been introduced to during the Olympics.

Having the rejuvenated Chicago Blackhawks franchise led by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane facing off against the Mike Richards and Jeff Carter led Flyers will just continue the stream of quality hockey.

Names may get people interested, but if you really want them to keep watching, you have to give them a quality product. Both teams feature high-end talent that can dazzle, but aren’t afraid to play the physical brand of hockey needed for a long playoff run. While the Wings and Pens gave us great drama the last couple of years, this series could surpass that by the intensity and excitement in each game. At least, that what I hope for.

Is it Saturday yet?

Joel MacDougall lives in Halifax and writes about all sports, both local and abroad. His website can be found at http://route19.wordpress.com/

NHL Playoffs Round 3 Roundup

The Future is now for the young and talented Blackhawks.

by Henry Whitfield

As a die-hard Toronto Maple Leaf fan (havent made the playoffs in 5 seasons), and season ticket holder for the Halifax Mooseheads (last in the QMJHL for the past two seasons), I am used to disappointments.

The third round of the playoffs took that to a whole new level.

I chose to jump on the bandwagons of both the Montreal Canadiens and the San Jose Sharks only to be rewarded with two lopsided series – going in favour of the other team.

The West – San Jose Sharks (1) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (2)

The San Jose Sharks got swept in convincing fashion by the Chicago Blackhawks, a demise I predicted last round here against the Detroit Redwings, but obviously the hockey Gods just wanted to torture me some more. They never really competed and I’d be surprised if Evgeni Nabakov ever plays another game for the Sharks. The question remains if the Sharks will gut their top line and trade the ‘big name players’ who are constant no-shows in the playoffs.

My Pick: San Jose in 7

Actual Result: Chicago in 4

The East – Philadelphia Flyers (7) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8)

The Cinderella story had to end sometime; too bad it shattered after I picked the Canadiens to win this series.

Jaroslav Halak had been the goaltending standout in the 2010 playoffs until Michael Leighton swiftly stole that title with three shutouts against the Canadiens. While he put up a brick wall on the backend, his scorers went to work booking a place in the Stanley Cup finals for a team that didn’t make the playoffs until the last day of the regular season.

I genuinely felt bad for the Habs as they looked physically exhausted out there against the Flyers, who threw their body around and made their presence felt. After beating two of the best teams in the league, Washington and Pittsburgh, it didn’t seem that the Canadiens had any gas left in the tank and they were never really in this series.

My Pick: Montreal In 6

Actual Result: Philadelphia in 5

MVP Of The Round – Michael Leighton stole this and ran away with it. He posted three shutouts against the Habs, and has quickly shown that the Flyers backup goalie can get it done. We’ll wait and see if he can get it done against the high-powered Chicago offence, but for now I’ll let him enjoy his MVP performance.

The No Show – I was going to say the Habs entire roster, but they won a game, so clearly for the second time this series it is a tie between Marleau, Thorton and Heatley. Where were you guys? Pavelski didn’t pick up the slack and the Sharks got swept. I feel a change is coming in San Jose and a real shake up needs to happen.

Most Goals – Even though his team is out, Michael Cammalleri still leads with 13 goals, that are four better than the next best total.

Most Assists – Jonathan Toews continued his offensive success this post season and leads with 19 assists in these playoffs.

Most Points – Jonathan Toews also leads the overall points with 26 points, which is five better than Flyers Captain Mike Richards who sits at 21 points.

Henry Whitfield lives in Halifax and is an avid sports fan who covers everything and anything in the sports world, while focusing on hockey and football. Follow him on twitter @HenryWhitfield.

What To Yell to a Marathoner and Other Random Thoughts from the Blue Nose

This past sunday I participated in the Blue Nose Marathon in Halifax. It was a lot of fun and the race seems to be getting better each year.

Below are some random thoughts and observations from my experience on Sunday.

1)You should never yell "You're Almost there" to a marathoner who is only a few kilometers or less away from the finish line. This seems like an encouraging thing to say, but at this stage of the race each step for the runner is sheer agony. The finish line is all the runner can think about and telling him he's almost there fills his head with false hope that his anguish may soon be over.

2)Yelling "Looking strong" is the best thing to say to a runner. For some reason this encouraging statement always gives me a boost, especially when I know I look anything but strong.

3)People in Dartmouth are really nice. Not that the Halifax supporters weren't great, but the folks on the other side of the harbour were special and so genuine.

4)Shubie Park is beautiful. Perhaps the highlight of the marathon is the 20 minute stretch through Shubie.

5)Never underestimate the adrenaline rush of race day.

6)Hard working course marshals are a god send. You would think that pointing and yelling "this way" would not be a big deal, but the marshals who take it seriously and try to do a good job are highly appreciated by marathoners. When I'm on mile 22 and I'm starting to have visions and feel like I'm going to fall down at any moment, I need that coarse marshall yelling at the top of their lungs and pointing dramatically. The guy leaning on a post and pointing with his finger...not as helpful.

7)Blasting "I'm in Miami Bitch" on a speaker the size of Theodore Tugboat at the entrance to Point Pleasant may not be the best thing. I could literally feel the sound push me back as I ran past the dj booth from a local radio station. Good intentions, but may need to be fine tuned.

8)"Give' er Hill" at about mile 24 in Dartmouth is a cruel, cruel joke. One of the friendly folks from Dartmouth yelled, " What did you think of the hill " after I made it to the top. I still have no idea what I said but I doubt it was coherent. He laughed regardless.

9)It's not shameful to take walk breaks on the back half. This was a strict no no for me but I finally broke down and walked a few times during the last five miles. I felt much better about it when I noticed the people running in front of me weren't getting any further away.

10)Running without headphones is the only way to do a marathon. I know every runner has their own philosophy but I just think by listening to loud music the entire way you're really missing out. All the shouts of encouragement, clapping, and the sound of runners coming up behind you, is what makes the event so special. Plus you shut yourself off from conversation with other runners. If you're going to be running for 4 hours you may as well talk to people to pass the time.

11)Always latch on to an older marathoner who knows what their doing. One of the most difficult things when running a marathon is pacing yourself. I always try to find a runner who I can tell has ran a lot of marathons and has a good pace. Then I stick to them like glue for as long as possible. If they want to keep to themselves, I'll stay 15 feet behind. More often than not they're up for exchanging war stories of past marathons and will give you a lot of great secrets.

This year I met up with a 51 year old man named Wendall from Chilliwack, B.C. Wendall had qualified for the Boston Marathon a month earlier in Vancouver. Not only was his pace perfect for running beside but the conversation was outstanding. Wendall pulled away on me around mile 16 and finished with a time of 3:47. Looking strong Wendall!

12)I do not like running in heat. Give me that cold and wet weather of previous Blue Nose Marathons anyday.

13)Breaking up the start times was a brilliant idea. It makes sense for all competitors. 10K speedsters don't have to worry about slow but steady marathoners, and 1/2 marathoners are able to finish their races without so much human traffic like there has been in previous years. A great idea that shows the Blue nose committee is very committed to making the event better every year.

14)How great was the kids run on saturday. I went out to cheer on my friend's son and it was a lot of fun. It helped that the weather was fantastic.

15)Thanks to SMU Director of Athletics, Steve Sarty, for giving haligonia.ca a plug as I ran by his family. Go Huskies!

Finally, there wasn't a lack of water stations....but about 15 more would be perfect.

Bill McLean lives in Halifax and has been running for several years. Listen to Bill McLean Sports Show every tuesday at 10:30 am on ckdu.ca or 88.1 FM. Email bill@haligonia.ca.

Where's the Love for Sid the Kid?

Haligonia Sports contributor Henry Whitfield comes to the defence of Sidney Crosby.

Another Bandwagon, CROSBY BASHING?

With the Stanley Cup in full swing and the playoffs down to just four remaining teams, it would make sense that even with his team out of the playoffs that the “Lets Bash Crosby” bandwagon would still be in full effect.

Heck, let’s ignore the fact that the Blackhawks have a two game lead over the number one team in the league, or that the Habs just came back in a huge way against the Flyers with a 5-1 win tonight.

Instead, let’s do what hockey fans do best and bash on a young talent who has done nothing but give his heart and soul to the NHL, Canada and hockey fans across North America.

The kid is just 23 years old and this is what his resume looks like:

•Silver World Junior Medal (2004)•Gold World Junior Medal (2005)
•Art Ross Trophy (2007)
•Hart Memorial Trophy (2007)
•Lester B. Pearson Award (2007)
•Stanley Cup Finals (2008/2009)
•Stanley Cup Ring (2009)
•Olympic Gold Medal (2010)
•Rocket Richard Trophy (2010)
I won’t get into the countless records he’s also broken, but in his first five years in the NHL he has played 371 games, scored 183 goals, made 323 assists and in total has 506 points.

But somehow fans still find the need to bash on the Canadian Hero who won helped make the dream possible in Vancouver and win the country Olympic Gold.

When groups like the IIHF come out and bash Sidney Crosby for not going to their World Championship, it’s clearly not about the hockey. The IIHF World Championship has only ever drawn North American attention when it is hosted in North America, without big names coming to play when it is held overseas they lose out. I can only assume this is the reason for their recent media temper tantrum.

As sports fans we need to understand that athletes are human and they need time to recover, relax and refocus. In the last 12 months he has won the Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold and the Rocket Richard trophy, not to mention six rounds in the NHL playoffs (losing just one matchup).

Sid will win Canada plenty more Gold at the international stage and hopefully add to his already overfull trophy case, so give the kid a break and let him enjoy summer off.

While you’re at it, how about we focus on hockey that’s being played and enjoy a playoffs that has been full of excitement, upsets and big games.

**Editors Note: The IIHF has since come out and apologize for including Sidney Crosby in their press release bashing players for not coming to the IIHF championship.

–

Henry Whitfield is an avid sports fan who covers everything and anything in the sports world, while focusing on hockey and football. Follow him on twitter @HenryWhitfield.

Bluenose Here I Come!

The BlueNose Marathon Runs Sunday at 9:00

Article by Joel MacDougall

Prior to last week, it had been a long time since I had seriously run.

My father is an avid runner and I remember doing the kids’ “Fun Run” at some of the local circuit races he attended and even doing a 10k with him for charity.

As I got a bit older, I tried out for the track team, more for the day off of school than anything else. The “goal” of running was not always apparent to me, aside from getting from one place to another.

I have typically preferred to get my physical activity through competitive team sport like hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball, etc., etc.

Recently I began running again and it felt so good that I have registered to do the 5 km run during the Scotiabank Bluenose Marathon this weekend.Often one to make a claim that I will do something and then not follow through, I figured signing up for an actual race, would be the push I needed to get myself going.

I have noticed improvements in my own ability after only a couple of times out. The first run I took, I was happy to complete it in a relatively decent time, but I would have been satisfied with any time really. My next outing was a bit of a disappointment compared to the first. I had not properly stretched following the first run, and I was quite stiff for the next few days, and that led to a slower time. Lesson learned though. My most recent outing came after several attempt to get out were thwarted by various distractions, but my body felt good, and I felt I could have pushed myself a bit harder.

I am starting small with the 5k, but I hope to get up to a 10k in the near future and then start trying to improve my times. Since I have put in only minimal training so far, completion is my only goal for Sunday. Okay that’s not entirely true; I’d like to crack the 30 minute mark, but my point is that I won’t be disappointed if it takes me longer.

I still like to participate in competitive sports, I have found that taking 30 minutes to an hour on my own for a run offers the flexibility to go when I want or can. It has also provided me an opportunity to step away from stresses of work and day-to-day tasks and focus solely one putting one foot in front of the other.

One final note about my run on Sunday is that I am accepting donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death in Canada and the more we do to understand them the fewer friends and family we will have to lose. Please visit my page on the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to show your support.

I’ll let you know how I did or you can follow @JMDougall on Twitter to get immediate results.

Joel MacDougall lives in Halifax and writes about all sports, both local and abroad. His website can be found at http://route19.wordpress.com/.

Dalhousie Women Add Eight Recruits

(Photo Credit: Nick Pearce)

--By Dylan Matthias

The Dalhousie Tigers women's soccer team will be a bit deeper come September. Head coach Jack Hutchison has added eight new players.

Headlining the list is versatile defender Andie Vanderlaan and attacking wingers Bianca Jakisa and Sheena Cayer.

Hutchison has also added defensive midfielders Stacey DeLuca, Madie Greig, and Sam Claude. Daphne Wallace, a striker, and central midfield player Kayla Merriman round out the group.

"They're not being thrown into the fire," says Hutchison. "The recruits coming in this year will really have the benefit of not being pressured into major minutes."
They do give the Tigers a bit more versatility. Hutchison describes Cayer, of Missasauga, Ontario, as an attacking specialist. Her presence will allow strikers Kate MacDonald and Katie Richard more space.

"If we score 30 goals, it's not going to be three players scoring ten goals each, I think you're going to see six people scoring five goals. You can stop one, maybe two people on our team, but there's two or three others who are more than willing to put the ball in the back of the net."

Players like Cayer and Janiska are likely a year or so away, but will give the Tigers diversity for now.

"What we've looked for in our recruiting are people who have the ability to play with the ball at their feet--people who can knock the ball around.

The group lacks any transfer players, although the Tigers do have four capable fifth year players already in their system.

"What's promising from a coaching perspective is that we have the nucleus of the team back next year, plus we feel, with the people coming in, the standard is higher than it has been in the past. Everybody will have to work harder to keep the position they had and the time on the field they had. It should force everybody to be better."

Hutchison says he's recruiting for 2011, when the Tigers will be without MacDonald, Richard, and Jeanette Huck.

"We're recruiting this year for next year.... The recruits can come in with a much more relaxed adjustment and initiation into the AUS."

Hutchison says that strategy avoids panic recruitment. They have time to scout and properly develop players.

Greig is coming off knee surgery she underwent last December. Hutchison says she should be ready, although some players can take up to two years to fully recover from a knee injury.

Dylan Matthias is the incoming sports editor at the Dalhousie Gazette. He runs Dal Soccer Live on the side to provide more in-depth coverage of AUS and ACAA soccer. He has been a Toronto FC fan since Danny Dichio scored the team's first ever goal. It showed him the magic of soccer.

Cam Russell....Seriously?

This week the Halifax Mooseheads announced they had re-signed GM and Coach Cam Russell to a contract extension, keeping the former NHL player around until the end of next season and although this isn’t a big surprise, it will be upsetting to Moosehead fans in the manner it was announced.

Apparently Cam was re-signed last month but the team chose not to announce it, similar to the resigning of Marcel Patenaude in the 2007/2008 season, where they announced him signing a new contact a mere eight months later.

It’s obvious that Bobby Smith and the management team decided to hold off on the press release due to disgruntled fans who are upset with the job that Cam has been doing behind the bench.

I’ll fully disclose that I’m a full-fledged, card-carrying “Cam Russell Must Go” fan club member, albeit as a GM he has been doing an okay job, as a coach he has failed to make an impact on the team and get positive results.

Here are his fantastic stats for the last four seasons as a Coach:

2006/07 – 32-31-3-4 (71pts, 14th)
2007/08 – 42-23-0-5 (89pts, 4th)
2008/09 – 19-41-3-5 (46pts, LAST)
2009/10 – 13-48-3-4 (33pts, LAST)


This gives him a total of 106-143-9-18 for a shiny winning percentage of just .384% and yet ownership is more than happy to keep him behind the bench.

Last season the Mooseheads went up and down, and then down some more. Able to pull off some surprise wins over the top teams, but failed to show up in must win games against fellow cellar dwellers.

With the junior draft fast approaching and the Moose sitting with the overall 2nd pick and six others in the top 35, Cam is under the microscope to put together a team that can compete for the Memorial Cup in the next two years.

For now I will put away the “Will trade Cam for Bag of Pucks” sign, and wait and see how next season pans out.

After two seasons in last place, Cam will need to pick it up or the fans will finally give up on him and chase him out-of-town.

Henry Whitfield is an avid sports fan who covers everything and anything in the sports world, while focusing on hockey and football. Follow him on twitter

NHL Playoffs 2010 - Round 3 Predos

Editors note: My apologies to Henry for not getting this up sooner.

Bill

Well, it’s time to get back on track and get some predictions right. I know most of you out there are wondering why I even bother, with a great record of just 6/12 so far, you’d think I would give up? Stick with the 50% and go home. However, this round I’m going to give ‘er and take a chance on teams that I have yet to believe in.

So without further adieu, here are my Round 3 Semi-Final Predictions:

The East – Its late but it’s time to join the bandwagon

Philadelphia (7) – Montreal (8) - Yes. That’s right. We’ve got a matchup of the last two seeds in the east to crown an East Champ. Montreal has beaten two of the NHL’s best teams so far in these playoffs and have jumped on the back of excellent goaltending by Jaroslav Halak to prove all pundits wrong. On the other hand, the Flyers struggled into the post-season and had to complete one of the toughest comebacks in recent memory to beat the Boston Bruins after going down three games to none. Both teams went to seven games in the last series and will be pulling on everything they have left to get an edge.

In net it’s a showdown of Michael Leighton (Until Boucher comes back) and the suddenly infallible Jaroslav Halak. If the Flyers can get into the head of Halak and push him around they might have a shot, but it won’t be easy.
It’s time to jump on the bandwagon and support Canada’s teams, not just because it feels right but because they are the best team in this series: Montreal In 6.

—

The West – Chicago ripped apart Vancouver in their series and the San Jose Sharks made short work of Detroit to reach this point.

San Jose (1) – Chicago (2) – Unlike the East, over in the West the top two teams have made it through the gauntlet and now face each other.

A high-powered regular season offence has finally shown life in the post-season for the Sharks and the young talent of the Blackhawks have been getting it done on the back of a young finish goalie.

Where the playoffs have been full of unexpected surprises, these two teams are the best in the West and deserve to be here. Joe Thornton finally showed up and will be the catalyst for the Sharks to get to the finals, however Duncan Keith will be draped over him like a bad wig and will try to shut down the big forward.

This series is tough with so much talent, but I feel that the Sharks will get under the skin of the young Blackhawks, taking this series.

My Prediction? The San Jose Sharks win in Seven.




—

That means the Stanley Cup will look like this:

San Jose Sharks (1st in West) – Montreal Canadiens (8th in East)

It will be a matchup of David verse Goliath proportions, well, if I am right for once.

–
Henry Whitfield is an avid sports fan who covers everything and anything in the sports world, while focusing on hockey and football. Follow him on twitter @HenryWhitfield.

AUS Storyline #2; The Collapse of the UNB Varsity Reds.

Even CIS athlete of the year nominee Hunter Tremblay Couldn't Stop the Varsity Red's Historic Collapse

UNB Mens Hockey comes in at number two of the top 20 AUS Storylines of the 2009/10 varsity season.

They were the reigning national champs and the class of the toughest conference in the country.

The UNB Varsity Reds weren't just the best university hockey team in the Canada, they were on pace to become one of the greatest teams in CIS history.

One year removed from winning a national championship in the spring of 2009, the Varsity Reds were working on an undefeated regular season in the hotly contested AUS conference.

UNB was the major storyline in Canadian university sport, until one of the most bizarre collapses of all time relegated them to an afterthought in a crazy season of AUS mens hockey.

On a late February night at the Aitken Centre in Fredericton, the Saint Francis Xavier X-Men came to town and gave the Varsity Reds their first defeat of the season. The X-Men had been struggling at the time, while the Reds were close to finishing off a historic campaign.

The fortunes of the two teams could not have changed more dramatically.

UNB received a first round bye, while fourth seeded St FX moved on to the AUS Quarter Finals and swept a UPEI team that had seemed to be getting stronger and stronger each week.

The plucky X-Men would play the number one ranked team in the country, the big, bad Varsity Reds, in a best of five semi final.

Nobody gave the X-Men a chance.

A week later, St FX was moving on to the AUS championship, while UNB was left to wonder where their glorious season had taken such a horrible turn.

After two crushing losses at the Aitkin Centre, the Reds were swept out of Antigonish, each game by a score of 3-2. The X-Men, led by former Moosehead Bryce Swan, had beaten the Reds 4 times in three weeks to completely shut down one of the most memorable campaigns in AUS hockey history.

There would be no accolades for this incredible group of athletes that had become the darlings of Fredericton. Just the bitter sting of disappointment of a lost season, one that had seemed so full of promise just two weeks prior.

It was the upset of the year in the Maritimes. The X-Men would go on to be a footnote in the Saint Mary's march to a national title, getting outscored 15-6 by a Huskies squad that was hitting stride at the perfect time.

Meanwhile, Coach of the year Gardinar Macdougall, AUS player of the year Hunter Tremblay, and the rest of the Varsity Reds were left with heartbreak, and the anticipation of fall when UNB

will almost certainly be a national contender once again.

Bill McLean is the voice of Dalhousie Tigers Men's Hockey on ssncanada and lives in Halifax. Follow Bill on twitter at "haligoniasports". You can hear his radio show Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am on ckdu.ca or 88.1 FM.

email: bill@haligonia.ca

AUS Storyline #3; The Shot Heard Round The Maritimes

Joey Haywood averaged over 20 ppg this past season for the Huskies.

Counting down the top twenty storylines of he 2009/10 season, Joey Haywood's foul on Christian Upshaw in the AUS Semi Final comes in at number three.

It was maybe the most stunning call in AUS Men's Basketball playoff history. Considering the rich and decorated past of the annual classic, it's hard to believe, but possibly true.

Joey Haywood was called for a personal foul on Christian Upshaw on a shot that had little chance of counting, a wild heave from the hashmarks at the buzzer that would have almost certainly missed it's mark and given the Huskies another trip to the AUS final.

The game was a classic before the ball was tipped.

It was the semi final game in Syndey, the latest chapter of the intense rivalry that exists between the Saint Mary's Huskies and the Saint Francis Xavier X-Men.

Two of the best coaches in Canada were waging war once again. On one side, Steve konchalski, on the other, Ross Quakembush. Coach K and Quack matching wits one more time with everything on the line.

For AUS basketball enthusiasts, the teams were a delicious contrast of styles.

The X-Men were one of the most athletic teams in the country and excelled at full court basketball, trapping, pressing and fast breaking their way to the number two ranking in Canada. Christian Upshaw and Jonathon Silver comprised one of the best backcourts in the country. Combined with Charlie Spurr and an eclectic mix of dynamic athletes and pure shooters, the X-Men were poised for a national championship run.

The Huskies were a classic Quakenbush team. A stellar senior class consisting of 5th year standouts Mark Mcluaghlin and Ike Ichegbu. A scoring dynamo in Joey Haywood, and a team concept based on half court offensive precision that always seemed to give the Huskies a wide open look at the basket. Basketball purists could watch Saint Mary's run their half court passing game all day long.

It was a that game would easily live up to the hype

The X-Men and Huskies waged an epic battle in front of a spirited crowd at Sydney 2000. The Huskies seemed to be in control with 5 minutes left and leading by 9, but Konchalski's X-Men clawed their way back and the teams came down the stretch of the AUS semi final neck and neck.

The Huskies looked to have it won when Mclaughlin found Miguel Pink with a full court pass for a wide open layup with 6 seconds left. The Huskies began to celebrate prematurely as Upshaw took the inbounds pass and navigated his way just over midcourt.

As time was set to expire, Upshaw found open space with Haywood in hot pursuit. Upshaw elevated and fired a wild buzzer beater that didn't seem to have a prayer.

Sure enough it didn't. It was jubilation for the Huskies, they were going to the AUS final having upset the heavily favoured X-Men.

But just wait. A whistle was blown on the play. As Huskies fans and players stood with their mouths agape, a three shout foul was called on Haywood. Replay would show that Haywood had made the slightest of contact with Upshaw on the body, as the dynamic guard from Halifax was at the climax of his jump.

Shock, despair, anger. All the emotions hit the Huskies at once.

On the other side, unabashed jubilation from X-Men players, fans, and the vaunted X student section.

Christian Upshaw stepped to the line, calmly made 2 of 3, and the X faithful charged the floor as the final free throw found it's way to the bottom of the net.

It was devastating for Saint Mary's. The outstanding seniors, Ichegbu and Mcluaghlin, having their legendary careers come to a finish in the cruelest of ways.

Then there was Haywood, one of the best guards in the country, left to ponder a mistake for the ages. Regardless of whether or not it was the correct call, Haywood will ask himself all summer why he was so close to Upshaw as he released a shot that barely stood a chance.

Haywood's mistake serves as a reminder to all of us that these are just young men. Brilliant at times, careless at others.

It was the ultimate case of the tragic beauty of university sports. Highly skilled and brave athletes pushing themselves to limits none of us could ever imagine, performing incredible feats of skill. Yet always tempered by the most costliest of errors, historic blunders that just leave you shaking your head.

But your heart aches with empathy for the agony you know they must be feeling to lose a game in such a fashion. Saint Mary's deserved a far greater fate, and to this day Huskies nation is still bitter about a call they feel should never have been made.

St FX would go on to lose handily the next day in the championship game. As it would turn out, both teams would see their season end it heartbreak as the X-Men did not receive a wildcard berth to the CIS championships in Ottawa.

But in a year that saw Cape Breton dominate the men and women conferences, it was this historic game featuring the most controversial call in the history of the tournament that was the top storyline of AUS basketball in 2009/10.