Leelanau Sports Guy’s World

Here’s something new the United Hockey League is trying.

UHL offering all games online this season

Flint Journal article by Brendan Savage

The United Hockey League is going high-tech this season. In an effort to expose their product to more people, the UHL will be offering video and audio feeds of all games online this season. Fans can click on the UHL’s web site at www.theuhl.com and follow the prompts to watch any game for $6. They can also listen to their favorite team’s radio broadcaster call the game while watching it. Read the entire article.

Neat article about former major league pitcher Gene Garber and his work to save farm land.

Garber put a stop to Rose’s bid, Former pitcher a long-time farmer

Record Eagle article by Jeff Peek

Elk Rapids - Gene Garber spent most of his baseball career in save situations. He’s continued that role as a farmer. Garber, who pitched in 931 games during 19 major league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves, was in northern Michigan on Wednesday night to speak to residents about the importance of saving farm land and open spaces. Garber, a “sixth or seventh” generation farmer, is chairman of the Lancaster County (Pa.) Agricultural Preserve Board. Every baseball offseason, he worked on his family’s dairy farm. “I was gone every summer from age 17 to 40,” said Garber, who turns 57 next month. “When I got home, the local township was waging a battle over land use. One farmer wanted to rezone his land and develop it. Read the entire article.

Free Press College Hoops Primer
Breakdowns of the state’s top college teams: Michigan, MSU, Central Michigan, Detroit Mercy, Oakland, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan.

Michigan State has it all - Size, depth might bring hardware
Free Press article about Paul Davis and the experience MSU is bringing back for this season.

Don’t forget to check out the College Basketball Blog for some great stuff!

Carlos Delfino’s 3-pointer with 6 seconds to play lifted the Pistons to 105-103 preseason victory over the Celtics. Rip Hamilton led the Pistons regulars with 12 points and Chauncey Billups had just eight points in 17 minutes. Smush Parker had 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter for Detroit.

My view: Didn’t see the game, but it sounds like McDyess looked good. If he stays healthy the Pistons have a great shot at being better than last season. Delfino didn’t shoot well, but obviously hit the big shot at the end. He is going to be a nice addition to the Pistons.

This was in today’s Record Eagle.

NAHL considers a TC team
Record Eagle article by Mark Urban
Traverse City - It might take a year, but junior hockey may return to Traverse City. An application is being reviewed to bring a North American Hockey League (NAHL) team to Traverse City for the 2005-06 season. “Those are true rumors,” said Stu Hackel, director of information and communications for the NAHL. “We have an application from a group that would like to put a team in Traverse City. It’s undergoing due diligence by our attorneys right now. Read the entire article.

Having Red Wings withdrawl? On the Wings has an article about upcoming Wings games on Fox Sports Net. Click here for the lineup.

I will definitely be tuning in for the March 26th, 1997 Colorado Avalanche game, no doubt about it. I have the rest in my VHS archives, but this game I don’t. It’s a must see for any Wings fan and was a huge factor in the Wings making the run for the Stanley Cup that season.

Nice article on John L. Smith’s plans for the MSU Football program as well as his wife’s battle with cancer.
Read the Free Press article.

My view: Smith will get the job done at MSU. It’s going to take a couple of more years, but I think he is a good coach and has built good programs in the past.

Lions: They always try to make it interesting, but one difference is this season they are holding on for wins. 2-0 on the road is amazing after 3 consecutive years of 0-8 road records. Mooch has them playing solid football and other than penalties they aren’t making many mistakes. Pinner ran the ball well. Here’s the best part, the Lions are still in first place.

Spartans: Drew Stanton is turning out to be something special. Stanton was 21-of-28 for 199 yards and three TDs and rushed for another 37 yards. The Spartans won a game they should win and are keeping their slim bowl hopes alive.

Wolverines: The story was Chad Henne. Henne completed 33 of 49 passes for 328 yards — all records for a true freshman at Michigan — with two touchdowns. Tight end Tyler Ecker scored the game-winner with 1:57 remaining after breaking two tackles. Henne looks like he is going to be something very special for the maize & blue.

A neat article about former Kalkaska star Chuck Schuba.

Schuba happy to join losing program - Kalkaska grad to tour against the Globetrotters - Record Eagle article.

The Pistons scrimmaged during their open practice at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday night. The team was divided into two groups, the Blue and White squad. The White team, led by Tayshaun Prince’s 13 points and Antonio McDyess’ 12, came away with a 41-36 win. Elden Campbell tossed in eight for the White. Read the entire article.

Just read this in the Record Eagle…

Criminal record haunts hockey team owner, Centre ICE officials plan to investigate
Record Eagle article by Dennis Chase, Keith Matheny & Bill O’Brien
Traverse City - The man who vowed to bring minor league hockey to Traverse City is a multiply convicted felon who’s also awaiting sentencing in a forgery case. Joseph Kolodziej, 37, of Petoskey, is scheduled for sentencing in Emmet County Circuit Court Nov. 1, after pleading guilty to felony forgery and faces up to 14 years in prison. Kolodziej’s criminal record dates to at least 1988, and includes convictions for car theft, grand larceny and check fraud. Kolodziej wants to base an International Hockey Association (IHA) team in Traverse City. League play was to begin next month with home games at Centre ICE. “I’m shocked,” said Terry Marchand, executive director at Centre ICE, when a Record-Eagle reporter informed him of Kolodziej’s criminal record. He quickly scrapped a Thursday press conference meant to introduce team owner Kolodziej. “Everything’s on hold,” Marchand said. Read the entire article.

My view: It’s not looking good for this team to replace the Enforcers. Looks like no minor league hockey in TC in the near future.

You can always go watch the Titans, Trojans or the Reps!

A nice column by Ansar Khan on MLive.com.

Raed the article here.

My view: I like the article and agree that the owners are looking good right now. I think the players will still make their millions if they accept a salary cap and should do it, so the lockout ends. I have a hard time feeling sorry for someone is a millionaire because of hockey complaining about money.

The Traverse City Beach Bums (cringe) will be beginning play in 2006. It will be great for northern Michigan to have minor league baseball.

The Beach Bums will play in the Frontier Professional Baseball League, which consists of twelve teams in the midwest including the Kalamazoo Kings, Windy City Thunderbolts, Rockford Riverhawks, Gateway Grizzlies, River City Rascals, Mid-Missouri Mavericks, Springfield/Ozark Ducks, Evansville Otters, Richmond Roosters, Chillicothe Paints, Florence Freedom, Washington Wild Things.

Look for the first pitch in May of 2006!

Here’s the website: www.traversecitybeachbums.com.

Some good news after losing the Enforcers…

Record-Eagle article by Dennis Chase
Traverse City - Traverse City will have a semi-pro team in the new International Hockey Association, it was announced Tuesday. The team, which will have local ownership, is expected to start its season in mid-November. Games will be played at Centre ICE. The Traverse City franchise was originally scheduled to play in Dayton, Ohio, but the owner approached Centre ICE officials after the Traverse City Enforcers of the Continental Elite Hockey League folded, said Centre ICE executive director Terry Marchand. Read the entire article.

As the Pistons get ready to defend their title, there are many questions that remain unanswered. The Detroit News has a article answering some of those.

Check it out!.