JD's Sportscorner

This season has been one of the better ones the NHL has had in recent years. Yes, there aren’t a lot of 90+ point teams with a few weeks left to go, but there’s a bastion of competition and second half stories to focus on.

What we know now is that the first year franchise Vegas Golden Knights will make the playoffs and unless collapse within the last 4 weeks, win their division. They’ve won an impressive number of home games and have yet to show signs of a slump.

Elsewhere in the Western Conference the Nashville Predators have won 10 straight as of when this was posted and lead the Central Division with no signs of slowing down. Right behind them is the improved, bullish and disciplined Winnipeg Jets, who seem to give anyone they’ll face in the playoffs chills and nightmares. Their physicality and loyal fanbase will make playing at Winnipeg a challenge.

The rest of the conference is up for grabs but Minnesota has finally clicked and the Dallas Stars are a potent team that can give anyone a challenge. There’s also the Ducks who’ll have their main stars Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, for example, back by the time the playoffs start, and the Ducks have stuck in the race longer than expected.

In the East Tampa Bay and Boston look to be the best teams, although the Bruins have had some injuries of late. Tampa looks to be the best team in the NHL, although when Pittsburgh gets in, they’ll be tested. Speaking of Pittsburgh, they’re heating up right now, and nothing proved they’re ready as when they beat the competent Philadelphia Flyers, who’ll be pesky when they get in. The Leafs and Devils, barring a meltdown seem to be ready for battle in the postseason as well.

I recently did a sports commentary that I will basically write on here. The New York Giants have fallen from grace not with what they’ve said about the National Anthem or Josh Brown, but to how the Owners have ran their team, and please, hear me out.

When the Giants won their second Super Bowl in 2011, they, as well as their fan base, probably thought they were on top of the world and no one could stop them. They were the New England Patriots’ kryptonite, and no one could take that away from them.

Unfortunately, that wouldn’t last much longer. The Giants have crumbled since that moment and have become a laughingstock in the League. To having a valuable and respectful man and head coach in Tom Coughlin to having someone who’s last name rhymes with Whackado and can’t control a locker room, even some of his core players, the Giants have become probably the second worst team in the NFL. Nothing showed how bad this team was like giving up a screen pass to Robert Woods on 3rd and 30-something and Woods getting a touchdown because no one could tackle. Throw in the loss to the winless Niners and C.J. Beathard and this team needs the reset button before the first half of November ends.

The Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch need to fire everyone, and maybe each other for what’s happened. Reese did well drafting last decade, but he’s the reason mostly for this decay. McAdoo will probably be fired at the end of the season (possibly), and Eli Manning’s future may be up for grabs. The only saving grace is that it’s this season and not next season or the one after.

I have no bias towards the owners. I am surprised the reset button wasn’t hit in a year like 2014 when this could have been avoided. Maybe the Giants will use this decade as a building block in the future. It’d be wise for the franchise to mark this as a time when even one of the calmest and mostly stable franchises can be tumultuous and go through a seismic shift in head staff. Change is needed most when things become too routine, and the Giants were asleep for a little bit too long.

As I’ve covered floor hockey throughout my tenure at Western Illinois University there are some things that I’d like to put out to readers. Some will be tips, and some are basics.

Let’s start with basics. First, know what sport you’re covering. In this instance, it’s floor hockey. Know the rosters, especially the opposing team’s, stats, and general rules that may come in handy, especially if one position is really hard to pick who’s better. Take goalie for example. Two teams could have sensational goalies, so both would need critical analysis, especially if one is used to playing defense nonstop versus the other.

Here are some tips that bloggers and writers should know, especially with floor hockey.

There’s no skating, but the competition revolves around who is coordinated to play the ball well just like a professional would play the puck on ice. Balls rolling make this kind of sport much faster with less of a room or error.

Game clocks may be different. When covering a game this year, the clock never stopped ticking. Memorize times if that’s the case and do it right when a whistle is blown. If the clock stops, there’s no reason to panic over time.

Jargon is different for every sport. Floor hockey usually has the same jargon as ice hockey, except there is no ice. the names of the players are the same, as is most of the rink, but the ice is one of few exceptions.

Some players or teams don’t really want to interview right after the game. Some want to blow off steam, so throwing a third party right there who isn’t equipped with sticks can leave one in a bad situation.

Finally, relax and don’t worry about no one talking to you, especially players. They don’t bite.

Going to floor hockey games in this semester has been different for me. First off because i’m going to them with other people critiquing. The other reason would be I’m now talking to the players, officials and Captains both before and after their games.

Talking with players both new to and very familiar with the game has also given me new insight into how college players think and play. Obviously a goalie has the mentality of positivity first, forget the goal just scored second. For Centers and defensive men, it’s a mix of both experience (or lack thereof at times) and how fun it is just to get the opportunity to play a sport that really isn’t put out to the public on campus.

While floor hockey should be promoted a little more on campus life, it fits the the profile of those who attend: Interested enough and in need of either relief or refreshment. It’s common for the big sports on campus to get a lot of attention because they’re competitive both regionally and nationally across the country. Some people aren’t into that, and it’s ok. Some people like a strategic game that not too many people will show up at that also features fun and a sigh of relief. It’s a sport that while it has a small following, could have a lot of interest depending on who finds out and spreads the word.

This is the first time I’ve written a blog post on my own. I am a student at Western Illinois University in my last semester, and I major in Sports Broadcasting. Over time, I will discuss not just sports and personal experiences but i will go into more broader topics such as news, international topics and future concerns that can either be personal or public and try my best to clarify some misunderstandings and at times put out some potential hazards. Like you, I’m hoping this will be a very fun experience.