Neely headlines Lester Patrick recipients

Hockey Betting Lines

09/02/2010 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Boston Bruin great Cam Neely was among four recipients of the 2010 Lester Patrick Trophy named Thursday.

Also presented with the award were college coaches Jack Parker and Jerry York and American Hockey League president David Andrews. The trophy is awarded to those who have shown outstanding service to hockey in the United States.

Neely, one of the most prolific power forwards in the history of the sport, scored 395 goals and had 299 assists over 726 regular-season games, the bulk of which were spent with the Bruins. He added another 57 goals in 93 playoff tilts.

He recorded three 50-goal seasons, including in 1993-94 when he played just 49 games due to injury.

Neely retired following the 1995-96 season and had his No. 8 jersey retired by the Bruins. After being voted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, he joined the Bruins front office as vice president and was named team president this past June.

Parker won three straight Beanpot Tournaments with Boston University from 1966-68 and has been the coach at the school since 1973. As a coach, he has guided the Terriers to three national championships (1978, 1995 and 2009) and is one of three coaches in NCAA history to reach the 800-win plateau. He is the only one, though, to have done it at one school.

York coached at Clarkson and Bowling Green before returning to his alma mater at Boston College in 1994. Since coming to the Eagles, he has guided the team to three national championships, including the 2010 title. His 850 career victories is second all-time to Ron Mason's 924. He also took Bowling Green to an NCAA title in 1984.

Andrews has been president of the AHL since 1994 during which time the league has experienced a wealth of expansion and growth. He was instrumental in bringing all 30 NHL teams' top developmental affiliates under the AHL umbrella and in 2001 led one of the largest expansion efforts ever in professional sports, bringing nine new cities into the fold, including six from the former International Hockey League.

The enterprise expanded the league beyond its traditional Atlantic seaboard borders to locations such as Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland, Houston, San Antonio, Winnipeg and Milwaukee. The league is scheduled to further expand in 2010-11 to Charlotte and Oklahoma City.

Mertocasino Hockey Betting News

<< Sabathia dominates as Yanks sweep A's
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CC Sabathia became baseball's first 19-game winner with a one-hitter over eight innings as the Yankees completed a four- game sweep of Oakland with a 5-0 win. Sabathia (19-5) now has a streak of 21 unbe

<< Montreal inks G Price for two years
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Canadiens signed goaltender Carey Price to a two-year contract on Thursday. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 23-year-old veteran of three seasons appeared in

<< Nike to alter uniform ad that upset mine activists
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -West Virginia University says Nike will modify the graphic in a promotional ad for a new football uniform that depicts a mountaintop removal mine.A statement issued late Thursday from Nike said the same thing WVU said earlier

<< Penn St prez welcomes Nebraska crossover game
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -Penn State president Graham Spanier likes the revised Big Ten football schedules that include a regular high-profile game with Nebraska.The conference announced Wednesday new divisional alignments and schedules for football

<< Sabathia domiantes as Yanks sweep A's
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CC Sabathia became baseball's first 19-game winner with a one-hitter over eight innings as the Yankees completed a four- game sweep of Oakland with a 5-0 win. Sabathia (19-5) now has a streak of 21 unbe

Federer rolls into third round at the Open >>
Flushing Meadows, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Five-time champion Roger Federer was an easy second-round winner Thursday at the U.S. Open. The second-seeded former top-ranked Federer cruised past German Andreas Beck 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 at Ashe Stadium.

Atlanta's Hudson voted NL Pitcher of the Month >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson has been named the National League Pitcher of the Month for August. Over six starts in August, Hudson posted a 4-0 mark with a 1.71 earned run average. He struck out 3

Orioles' Matusz named top AL rookie for August >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz has been selected as the American League's top rookie for the month of August. Matusz went 4-1 with a 2.43 earned-run average over six starts in August. He led AL r

St. Louis' Pujols named NL Player of the Month >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols has been named the National League Player of the Month for August. Pujols batted .379 over 26 games in August and led the National League with 11 home runs. He posted a .

D'Backs' Hudson named NL Rookie of the Month >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson was named the National League Rookie of the Month for August. Hudson went 4-1 with a 1.85 earned-run average in six starts during the month. He led all National Le

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard

Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting

So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.

Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?

If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)

Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).

In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.

Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.

The Bubble Breakdown
CONFERENCE LOCKS SHOULD BE INS AT-LARGES TAKEN
(assuming no auto bid outlier)
ACC Betting Odds 6 0 5
Big East Betting Odds 5 0 4
Big Ten Betting Odds 2 2 3
Big 12 Betting Odds 3 0 2
Pac-10 Betting Odds 5 1 5
SEC Betting Odds 4 0 3
MVC Betting Odds 1 1 1
MWC Betting Odds 2 1 2
TOTAL 28 5 25

As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.

(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)

If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech

The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.

 

Work left to do:

Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.

Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).

Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

Additional basketball lines can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.