20th Annual UConn Hockey Classic Recap
On December 29th and 30th, 2012, UConn hosted the 20th annual UConn Hockey Classic. In the first game, No 18 Minnesota State played Brown college. Minnesota State scored a goal late in the first and half-way through the third period to build a 2-0 lead. Brown then scored a shorthanded goal with seven minutes left, but MSU scored an empty-netter to seal a 3-1 win and go to the championship. In the second game of the first round, UConn played rival AIC. Just over a minute into the game, Trevor Gerling scored for UConn, his third of the season, to put UConn up 1-0. Over ten minutes later, Brant Harris charged past the defensemen, and on a slight breakaway, deked around the goalie and scored. But 21 seconds into the second period, AIC scored to make it a 2-1 game. Nine minutes later, UConn’s Trevor Gerling scored again, to make it 3-1, and start a rally of three goals in a 6:52 span, to make it 5-1 going into the final period. In the third, Ambroisie and Harris scored to give UConn a 7-1 lead, leading them to a 7-2 victory, to advance to the championship to play Minnesota State. Matt Grogan earned his first start in almost two years.
In the consolation game, Brown played AIC. Only 15 seconds into the game, AIC scored to take a 1-0 lead. Twelve minutes later, Brown tied the game, and went on to score two power-play goals in the final two minutes of the period to gain a 3-1 lead. Seven minutes into the second, AIC got back with in one, on an even-strength goal. But not even a minute later, Brown scored again, to take a 4-2 lead over the Yellow Jackets. For the first twelve minutes of the third, the two teams battled to no goals, but in the next five minutes, Brown scored three goals, to seal a 7-2 win over AIC for Brown. AIC was handed their third straight 7-2 loss, as Brown claimed third place, and AIC came in last in their first appearance in the tournament.
In the Championship game of the classic, UConn took on Minnesota State. I went with my dad, friends Alex, and Seth and their dads Mr. Wearne and Mr Beecher. It was my friend’s Seth first time seeing UConn play. Just over ten minutes into the game, UConn suprisingly took the 1-0 lead. Sean Ambroisie took the puck over the blue line, and passed to Tyler Bouchard who shot it off the post and in, for his third goal in four games. I had gotten a cow bell for Christmas, and I was gald I got to use it when UConn scored. Despite the lead, UConn was outshot in the first 12-4. During the first intermission, Seth, Alex and I went to buy a snack, and in my opinion, brought back a meal (I got a big pretzel, Alex got a big platter of nachos and cheese, and Seth got two drinks, a big pretzel, and a huge bowl of popcorn!) In the first five minutes of the second, Minnesota State recorded two goals to take a 2-1 lead, going into the third period. It was to finally get to see both of my friends again, and during the second intermission, I shwoed my friends UConn’s trophies, and talked to them, then ate some more! Fun!!! During the third, UConn outshot MSU 7-6, but had to pull their goalie since they hadn’t scored. With 20 seconds to go, UConn stole the puck from a MSU player an shot the puck, and Billy Latta just over the crossbar! MSU went on to score an emptynetter, with 7 seconds to go, and claim the championship with a 3-1 win. UConn was represented on the All-Tournament Team by Brant Harris and Jacob Poe. We were all disappointed that UConn lost, but we all had a great time!
UConn Vs. Army; Huskies can’t afford to lose
On Friday night, December 7th, 2012, my dad and I went to see UConn play the Army Black Knights, in their final game before the holiday break. UConn had to at least get a point, because teams were closing the gap behind them in the standings. Early in the first period Army was out skating and sticking UConn. My dad and I arrived two minutes into the game, but no shots had been made on net by both teams. The band was there for the first time in a while. Early on in the first period, Army scored a goal on a funny bounce. The puck bounced to an army player at center ice, who just shot the puck at Bartus to get a line change, but the puck bounced at the last second and went in the net, to give Army a 1-0 lead. With five minutes remaining in play in the first, UConn got a power-play. From the faceoff, Evan Carrie, passed the puck over to Tyler Bouchard, who made the goalie think he was going to pass, but he roofed the shot, in the top of the net, six seconds into the power-play, giving him his second goal in as many games and of his career. After one period, Army had the 10-7 lead in shots.
My dad and I got to see and old friend, during intermission, so it helped pass the time and it was nice to see him. UConn had a lot of quality chances to score in the second, but didn’t. One of these chances included a breakaway by Brant Harris, but was kicked away by the Army goalie. However, Army did score. A shot through traffic in the air made it’s way into the top left corner to give Army a 2-1 lead going into the final period. Army also held a 21-16 edge in shots.
One thing that has been nice about the games this year, is that some students that have been coming to the games are full of life and get the whole crowd going. In the final period, UConn finally pulled their act together. They outshot Army, 14-10, and outplayed them. Half-way through the period, UConn tied the game a 2-2. Senior Evan Carrie backhanded a shot off of Ryan Leet’s pad and into the net! I didn’t think it went in, but the goal light went on, and the whole crowd din’t stop cheering until the center ice faceoff had started. Also, I think the huskies were elated too, because they jumped into the celebration hug! Both teams fought to overtime, but no one scored, so UConn came out with a much needed point. Air Force won and tied, and RIT won two games, so now Uconn is only behind RIT by one point and Air Force and RMU by 3, and lead AIC by 2. Matt Grogan made 16 saves in relief, and Bartus made 13. I was so glad that UConn didn’t lose!
UConn Hockey Weekend Recap: UConn Vs. Air Force
Storrs, Conn- During Thanksgiving weekend UConn took on the defending Atlantic Hockey champions Air Force. The second game was scheduled to be played at the XL center. On Friday afternoon, UConn played Air Force in the first game of the series. In the first period, Air Force outshot UConn 13-10, but the period ended at 0-0. UConn scored first 2:13 into the first period on a power-play goal. Sean Ambrosie passed the puck to Alex Gerke, who buried the one-timer, to give UConn the 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, air Force tied the game at 1-1. But just three minutes later, Jordan Sims put home his third goal of the year. Latta went behind the Air force net, with the Air Force defense and Torf following Latta, who backhanded pass to Sims who tapped it home for the 2-1 lead. After two periods, though, air Force held a 26-23 edge in shots. UConn had some golden oppurtunities, but failed to score, but UConn still won 2-1, getting revenge for a postseason loss to the Falcons last year. Bartus finished with 35 saves on the game.
The next day, UCon finished the series with Air force at the XL Center. Only ten minutes into the game, Trevor Gerling scored on a pass from Evan Carrie, to put the huskies up 1-0. With two minutes left in the period, Air Force tied the game on a low shot on a rebound. After one period, UConn led in shots, 13-4. Both teams had great chances in front of the net, but couldn’t score until Air Force took the lead going into the final period. Three minutes into the period, Cody Sharib tied the game with a wrap-around, his third goal of the season, which sent the game into overtime. Only 35 seconds in Sean Ambrosie put home the game-winner, to help UConn sweep Air Force for the first time in program history. Bartus had 22 saves, as UConn improved their record to 4-5-1, 3-4-0 AHA with the win. I never expected UConn to do so well against Air force!
Fat Chickens…And Eggs With Yogurt?
As my title says, “Fat Chickens…And Eggs With Yogurt?”, but this is actually something that is true! A chicken’s stomach is called it’s crop. When a chicken swallows something too big, or something gets stuck in it’s crop. Then the chicken gets something called an impacted crop. The chicken’s stomach will bulge out, if this is the problem. But the chicken will feel like it is starving, since it isn’t processing any food, so it will eat even more food! To get rid of this problem, seperate the chicken from the other chickens, and feed the chicken eggs with yogurt mixed in and put vinegar in their water to help shrink their crop. Or you can drain the crop by massaging it by holding them upside-down. This sickness is not from eating too much, it just comes naturally for some chickens. To find out if a chicken has this sickness, feel their crops in the morning. This is because they eat a lot during the day, so would appear to have this disease, but they are really just fat. If they have this sickness, they crop will be squishy. I already had a chicken die from this. I know the title is funny, but it isn’t something to fool around with.
Mission: Beat No.8 Union!
On Saturday, October 27th, 2012, Uconn was playing No. 8 Union on their home opener. My dad, my friend Alex and I went to this game. There was a lot of people at the game, and the Husky dog was even there. The action started right away, as UConn almost scored early on, when the puck just narrowly missed the right side of the net. Union was startled I think because they didn’t expect this kind of opposition, and the first period ended with the game tied at 0, and UConn leading in shots! This game was also really fun, because the crowd was really active and had a lot of team spirit, the most I’ve ever seen! In the second period, Union started shooting more but so did UConn. However, things started to go badly for UConn. Jacob Poe hit someone from behind, earning him a penalty. Only seconds into the power-play, Evan Carrie got a penalty, to give Union a 5-on-3. Only seconds later, Union shot the puck past Bartus to gain the 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, when the period was almost over, Jordan Sims shot the puck at the top right corner, only for it to be saved by the Union goalie, but it bounced back and hit Sean Ambrosie and went into the net! UConn had tied the game at 1-1! A group of teenagers and the Huskies were banging on the wall so hard, that the whole was shaking! However, the refs almost didn’t count the goal because it bounced off Amborsie’s shoulder. If they didn’t count it, I think there would have been a riot on our side. At the end of the period, Uconn was holding the eigth best tam in the nation at 1-1! I was so excited!
My friend alex and I were so happy, we singing the songs that were on the radio though our posters! We could hardly contain ourselves! When UConn came out in the final period they got a standing ovation from the crowd. Union out-shot Uconn in the final period 22-5. However, Uconn scored only eight minutes into the final period, to gain a 2-1 lead against Union! Brant Harris was the scorer, and the crowd was going beserk! Unfortunatly, with only six minutes remaining in the game, Union scored. UConn and Union battled but no one scored, so the game went to overtime. Union had the best opportunities but the UConn defense was incredible, and held off Union. In the final 15 second however, UConn also had some golden opportunities, but also failed to score. But, UConn still tied the eigth best team in the nation! Union outshot UConn by a long-shot, but UConn’s defense was great and their offense made every shot count! We all agreed that it was one of the greatest games we ever saw, and we hope Uconn plays that way all season, because they will dominate if they do!
“One Nation, Under God”
“We the People…”; This phrase is part the preamble of the U.S. Constitution. Politics today are much like the politics of the American Revolution. The government thinks that do what ever they want to do and have no concern for the people that they are supposed to be serving. The government is spending millions of dollars, while we are on a deficit in the billions+. The only difference from that time and now is that the people were speaking up. Now very few people are speaking up and there are three major reasons for that. Reason One: People take the attitude “It won’t affect me”, and ignore the situation, not caring. Reason Two: Sports are the new politics. As much as I like some sports, people pay more attention to sports than politics, something that can change your life. Sports can’t. Reason Three: People believe anything the TV, newspaper, radio, or any kind of news says. They could say the sky was green, and most people would probaly believe it. This can also sway elections, because people will vote for whoever the news says to. During American Revolution, people actually made up their own minds. People don’t seem to do that anymore.
People need to wake up and make up their own minds for this coming election, because if they don’t, I can predict who the winner will be. Christians especially need to vote for Romney. Obama is trying to destroy the Church, and Christians are voting for him?!! This just another example of what when people listen to news, and don’t form their own opinons.
The election is next week. Mitt Romney really needs to win, because if Obama wins, he will most certaintly tear this nation apart. Romney is probably not the best candidate the Republican party could have nominated, but he is a ton better than Obama…, a world better. And people need to vote Republican for the other election for the other offices too. They need to vote this way, so Americans can keep their freedoms, and stay one nation under God.
Captain America: A 1976 Puzzle
On Sunday, July 30th, 2012, my dad, my sister, and I were going through a box we had found in our basement, behind some other boxes. In it we found many of his childhood memories, and some of his favorite toys from his childhood. In this box, he also found an old puzzle from 1976; a puzzle of Captain America. My dad had this as a kid, because he liked super-heroes, and comic-books. It was cool to put the puzzle together, because it was cool to know it was my dad’s, and because of the texture of the puzzle. While going through some of his treasures, he also gave me eight of his old comic book. He also gave me two old Star Wars books, and two of his old action figures. I love looking at his treasures, and I’ve done it many times before.
UConn Hockey: The Good News and The Bad News
The Good News: To follow up on my most recent article about UConn Hockey (a thrilling playoff series for UConn Hockey), 
UConn did lose in the quarterfinals to Air Force. However, the put up a fight forcing a deciding game three. They lost game one 4-3, despite leading 1-0, and 2-1, and later tying the game at three. In game two, the Huskies tied the series, by defeating Air Force, 3-1. The Huskies scored one goal every period, despite being outshot by Air Force, 47-14. 42 of those shots were in the first two periods. However, Air Force could not get through Garrett Bartus or the UConn defense, and UConn always had the lead. Sohpmore Cole Schneider also broke the single season scoring record for UConn Division 1 history with 43 points. But in game three UConn lost 4-3, ending their season. They had 2-1 and 3-2 leads, but Air Force came from behind, and UConn failed to tie it on some golden opportunities. Cole Schneider also broke the single season division 1 scoring record for UConn with 23. Despite losing, UConn did incredible against the top team in the league and No. 19 in the nation.
The Bad News: On March 14, 2012, three days after UConn lost in the playoffs, Cole Schneider, UConn’s top scoring player, signed a contract with the Binghamton Senators, a minor leauge team of the NHL team the Ottawa Senators. This very good for Schneider, but it is bad for UConn because they lost there top scoring player.
The Good and Bad News: On June 21, 2012, it was announced that UConn had accepted it’s invitation to join Hockey East. UConn has wanted to get into this league for many years and finally did so. However, UConn has to move to the XL center, due to not having a large enough capicity rink! 
My dad and I have been going to games since 2007, and now the move to the XL Center will shrink the amount of how many games we can see by a lot. Also, a lot more people will go, and it may sound ridiculous, but UConn’s horn for when the score is awesome! And the XL’s is puny (no offense to Connecticut Whale fans). Another key point is that the rink will not even be on campus! I read a newspaper article that said that eventually UConn will either build a new-on-campus rink, or will add onto their current one, but the key word is eventually.
UConn will finish the next to seasons in the Atlantic Hockey league and in their current home, but it still is very disappointing. UConn has been using this rink since the 60’s. Going to UConn hockey games has become a winter and yearly memory. I will really enjoy going to games these next two seasons, and hope that UConn’s move is short-lived. 
The New York Yankees: Success and Injuries
It was May 21, 2012, and the Yankees had a problem. A big one. When people think of the New York Yankees they think of dominance. However, the Yankees had a 21-21 record, and were worr
ied about keeping a winning record. They had lost their best closing pitcher, Mariano Rivera, to a torn muscle. The team struggled when they had runners in scoring position, and they only had two starting pitchers that were reliable, but they sometimes didn’t recieve run-support. Then all of a sudden the offense clicked. They went onto a five-game winning streak and their offense and Mark Teixeira broke out of it’s slump. The Yankees also got another plus. Former starting pitcher, Andy Pettite returned from retirement better than before he retired, which is pretty darn good.
After a few more wins, the Yankees became unstoppable. Their offense went on a tear, and their rotation (CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova, and Andy Pettite) didn’t allow more than four runs, and their bullpen for the first time all year was spotless. This greatness led to a ten-game winning streak, before a tough three-game losing streak where it’s starters struggled. However, in the blink of an eye, this roughness smoothed back out to start a five-game winning streak that fixed the Yankees pitching back to normal.
However, on the last day of the five-game winning streak, Andy Pettite and CC Sabathia both went on the disabeled list. Now you may think that may cool the Yanks down, and at first it did. The Yankees bullpen became horrendous, and a rookie pitcher couldn’t fill in for Sabathia or Pettite. Then once again, the Yanks pitching straightened out. Freddy Garcia made a quality start, and the Yankees offense stayed as good as ever, and that’s what’s happening with the Yankees today.
Now, the major question is how did the Yankees turn from good to bad? And the answer is actually quite simple. Adjustment. The Yankees had gotten some new players, and some were from the National Leauge. This meant that batters had to face new 
pitchers, and pitchers had to face new batters. Once these players adjusted, they helped the Yankees get where they are now. The Yankees bullpen also had to adjust to the loss of Mariano Rivera, and Rafael Soriano and David Robertson (who just came off the disabled list) taking his spot as the closing pitchers. The Yankees had new relief pitchers, so they had to adjust while they got switched around to fill other spots. Considering how much adjustment has been done all season, the Yankees are looking incredible. All the Yankees need to do is continue their good offense, and fix some-minor pitching quirks, and they’ll be, once again, a nearly unstoppable team.
Willington Vs. Ashford Game 2
On June 7th, 2012, my team Willington 2 played Ashford at River Road. We had only eight players, since some had gone to a school cocert, so we didnI started out pitching, and I had a man on second and first and one out. The ball was popped up in the infield, and Austin, who is usually catcher was playing second base, and he dropped the ball, but it was called an out (this is to prevent a person from intentionally dropping a fly ball to pick off runners). However, the runner on second didn’t tag, so the ball was thrown to me and I tagged second base for the double play and the inning was over. While my team was getting ready to bat, a parent came out and argued with the ump, and the call was changed, so there was now a man on third, and first and two outs. The next batter came up and hit a three-run home-run to center field, making me upset about the call but I got out of the inning. When I came up to bat, I struck-out because I was upset about the homer that happened because of the call. However, my team got the bases-loaded, and then the pitcher walked a batter, forcing a run in to cut the deficit to 3-1. With the bases-loaded and two outs, Joe came up to bat, and he ripped a bases-clearing double to give my team a 4-3 lead! After Joe scored, I came up to bat, with a man on third, and hit an RBI single into left, giving my team a 6-3 lead. After Max walked, and then stole, Josh Vanet hit a fly ball into right field, which was a two-run single scoring me and Max to get a 8-3 lead. My team scored three more runs in the inning to take an 11-3 lead after only the first inning, against a team we beat 2-1!
I pitched one more inning and gave up one more run before, and I left the pitching mound with my team up 11-4. In the last inning, my team was up 14-10. With two outs and the bases-loaded, the kid that had hit two homers, hit a bases-clearing triple to make it a one-run game! The last batter had three balls and two strikes on him, and Max struck him out to leave the tying run stranded on third to give us an exhilerating win to end the season! In my other at-bats, I grouded-out to first, struck-out, and got hit-by-a-pitch. 
I had a lot of fun during the game and season, and hope I do even better next year!