New Years Eve Show

Blue Oyster Cult, December 31, 1981

Tower Theatre, General Admission

The Tower is an old classic theatre built in 1928.

1981 is a black year in the history of Blue Oyster Cult. By August, a simmering mixture of internal band resentment, exasperation and frustration exploded with the net result that drummer/singer/songwriter and general creative pile-driver, Albert Bouchard was fired. In the UK, of all places!!

And yet it all started so promisingly. In June, BOC released the fantastic "Fire Of Unknown Origin" and with Cultosaurus already under their belt, BOC fans were beginning to believe that the Cult were on their way. There was nothing going to stop their relentless march towards dominance now... except maybe... submission.

By losing Albert Bouchard, the creative heart was ripped out of the band and, for a lot of people, a major part of what made Blue Oyster Cult the band it was, was now gone.

Lighting man Rick Downey was hastily drafted in to take over the drums and BOC finished off the year with a massive tour with Foghat. (courtesy: http://www.hotrails.co.uk/index.htm)

Local band Big Streets opened for BOC. The drum solo took place towards the end of "Godzilla" after which the band came back on to finish the song. At the end of the song, Joe does a standalone bass solo - featuring various Doors' songs.

Known setlist:

Dr Music

	The Red & The Black
	ETI
	Hot Rails To Hell
	Joan Crawford
	Burnin' For You
	Cities On Flame
	Veteran of Psychic Wars
	Me262
	Godzilla
	Born to be Wild
	(Don't Fear) The Reaper
	Roadhouse Blues

ECHL Action

Charlotte Checkers v Richmond Renegades, December 27, 2002

Richmond Coliseum, Sec 2U Row C

Charlotte, N.C., is recognized as the first southern city to embrace minor-league hockey, but it did so quite by accident. On Jan. 23, 1956, Carlin's Iceland in Balitmore burned down forcing the Eastern Hockey League's Baltimore Clippers to move to Charlotte.^] The team played six games in the Charlotte Coliseum during the balance of the season, drawing 10,363 fans who sang Dixie before the first game against the New Haven Blades. The team decide to officially move to Charlotte for the 1956-57 season, adopting the Checkers nickname in 1960.

The Checkers played in several minor hockey leagues until the late 70's. After a 17 year hiatus, the Checkers resurfaced in the ECHL in 1993.

Charlotte 4 Richmond 2

VIP Seating

Montreal Canadians v Washington Capitals, December 23, 2003

Verizon Center, Section 104, Row V

A friend has a relative who was a former Caps player and we used his seats for this game.

Peter Bondra scored with 53.8 seconds remaining to lift the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 victory Tuesday night over the Montreal Canadiens.

Bondra was camped out behind Montreal goalie Mathiew Garon and knocked in a loose puck in the crease to give Washington its first win on its five-game homestand.

Michael Ryder tied it for Montreal for the second time when he batted a rebound out of the air at 8:24 of the third period.

Former Capitals player Jan Bulis also scored for Montreal, which failed to win two in a row for the 11th time this season. The Canadiens haven't won back-to-back games since beating the Red Wings and Islanders on Oct. 20 and 23.

Joel Kwiatkowski was ejected for checking-from-behind, and Montreal was only able to capitalize for one goal during the five-minute advantage.

Jaromir Jagr and Jeff Halpern scored to give Washington 1-0 and 2-1 leads.

Bulis provided the first tie by snapping a wrist shot past Olaf Kolzig at 3:18 of the third. Ryder answered Halpern's goal on the power play by knocking a floating rebound into the net to make it 2-2.

Montreal's power play has scored in six of seven games.

Jagr scored the first goal on Washington's first power play at 5:37 of the second period, taking the puck from Benoit Gratton and shooting it high past Garon.

Jagr, playing his second straight game after missing two with a thumb injury, has 33 goals in 53 games against Montreal.

Halpern scored 4:56 into the third just before Montreal went on the five-minute power play, which led to Ryder's tying goal.

Game notes
On Montreal's first power play, Washington's Mike Grier knocked the net off its moorings after he broke in short-handed against Garon. Instead of blowing the whistle, referee Kerry Fraser signaled for play to continue at the other end of the ice while he stayed behind the play to replace the net. Minutes later, the Washington net came loose behind the action and again play was allowed to continue. ... Officials had no choice but to stop play with 5:05 remaining in the second after former Capitals player Richard Zednik drove Washington's Trent Whitfield into the glass, knocking the panel loose to the point where it fell forward hitting a ducking Whitfield on top of the head. ... Washington's Colin Forbes was a healthy scratch for the second straight game since his recall from Portland of the AHL.

Mr Hockey

Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers, December 23, 1992

The Spectrum, Section Y, Row 14

During the steak when the Flyers were not making the playoffs for 5 straight seasons. And the Penguins were winning Cups.

Mario Lemieux scored the game's first goal 41 seconds into the game on the Flyers Tommy Soderstrom. A Kevin Dineen checking from behind penalty and game misconduct set up the game's 2nd goal, Kevin Stevens 28 of the year.

Lemieux netted his 2nd of the game and 36th of the season in the 2nd period.

A 4-0 win for the visiting Penguins were Tom Barasso earned a shutout and Mario Lemieux registered 2 goals plus an assist.

The ECHL Experiment

Erie Panthers v Richmond Renegades, December 23, 1990

Richmond Coliseum, Section 19L Row A

The Renegades began play in the 1990-1991 season, the third year of the ECHL's existence. The team was owned by local businessman Allan Harvie. The nickname "Renegades" came from a "name the team" contest, and a little girl won it after a tie-breaking draw. The team's colors were orange and black (perhaps in deference to the Richmond Robins of the 1970s, an AHL farm team for the Philadelphia Flyers), and the logo was a black "R" with an orange upside down hockey stick forming the inside of the letter.

Perhaps this was a Christmas visit to the in laws. I caught a few Renegades games in the past few months of their first year in existence. There seemed to be some enthusiasm in Richmond, but that would not last too long.

Richter Peppered

New York Rangers v Philadelphia Flyers, December 21, 1995

The Spectrum, Section 59 Row 4

Darren Langdon of the Rangers scored first with Kevin Lowe and Mark Messier getting credit for the assists. Despite the Flyers peppering New York goaltender Mike Richter with 19 shots in the 1st, John LeClair's was the only Flyer to hit the back of the net with his 21st goal of the season. Fellow Legion of Doom line mate Mikeal Reneberg assisted on the goal.

Blue Shirt Jeff Beukeboom scored what would become the game winning goal in the 2nd.
The Rangers were only able to put 3 shots on net in the 3rd.

The Rangers managed to win while putting only 15 shots on net to the Flyers 32.

17,380 were on hand.

NOT a Super Bowl XXXIX Preview

New England Patriots v Philadelphia Eagles, December 19, 1999

Veterans Stadium, Sec 354 Row 13

I took a client to this afternoon game. It was just over a week from the Millennium celebration.
At this point in time, Drew Bledsoe already underachieved. The Eagles were a team in transition. A short 5 years later, the two teams would meet in the Super Bowl. This was not a precursor.

The Eagles jumped to a 1st quarter 10-0 lead on a 43 yard Norm Johnson field goal and a 50 yard strike from quarterback Koy Detmer to Torrance Small.

The Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri factored in big in the New England's failed effort. He connected on a 23, 43 and 46 yard field goals in the swirling winds of the circular Vet.

Small and Detmer hooked up again in the 2nd quarter for an 11 yard touchdown. Detmer also found Dierich Jells for a 44 yard touchdown pass.

The Patriots controlled the stats in just about every category except the scoreboard.
The Eagles won this forgettable game 24-9.

It's Only Rock and Roll

The Rolling Stones, December 18, 1981

Hampton Coliseum, General Admission

Festival seating was kind of outlawed in some jurisdictions around this time period as several people were stomped to death at a Who concert in Cincinnati a few months prior. It surprised us this show remained "general admission".

A friend's dad drove us to the show. We had a hotel room within walking distance. We arrived to the hotel in the early afternoon, checked in and wondered aimlessly over to the show. Dumb luck timing had us first in line just as the doors opened. Several people sprinted to the front of the stage. We wondered slowly and still ended up leaning on the front of the stage. The place slowly filled up.

The opening act was George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers. I knew of his music as my older brother had albums and he was getting some air time on Philadelphia radio at the time.
He actually rocked the place and ended up putting on a better show then the Stones.

A long time passed between Thorogood's set and The Stones coming on stage. Several things happened during this time. The crowd began pressing us against the stage. We had no control of our bodies. We were picked up and moved in waves of movement. Somehow we worked our way several rows back from the stage.

The Stones came on stage, cameras on cranes swooped down from above us. The legendary Rolling Stones were within spitting distance from us. At one point a little Charles Manson looking guy came up behind me and told me to move. I told him I couldn't move. She leaned in and said "I have a knife and I need to get close to Mick". I found enough room to let him around.

1. Intro
2. Under My Thumb
3. When the Whip Comes Down
4. Let's Spend the Night Together
5. Shattered
6. Neighbors
7. Black Limousine
8. Just My Imagination
9. Twenty Flight Rock
10. Going to a Go Go
11. Let Me Go
12. Time is On My Side
13. Beast of Burden
14. Waiting On a Friend
15. Let Bleed
16. You Can't Always Get What You Want
17. Little T&A
18. Tumbling Dice
19. She's So Cold
20. Hang Fire
21. Miss You
22. Honky Tonk Women
23. Brown Sugar
24. Start Me Up
25. Jumping Jack Flash
26. Satisfaction

Revenge!

Celebration From Our Seats

St Louis Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers, December 18, 2000

Raymond James Stadium, Sec 314 Row P

Hooked up with a old fraternity brother who was a season tickets holder. St Louis got a gift call in the previous year's playoffs to knock the Bucs out. Tonight was a night for revenge.

The day of the Marriott was packed outside with autograph hounds. We walked right in to meet someone and mingled with an almost entire lobby of Rams players and their families.

We tailgated with Warren Sapp's family briefly. There were bigger and better things going on in the parking lot. My buddy was a rock musician with a lot of local connections. Any tailgate we walked up to, we were eating and drinking and enjoying the moment.

This was a time when Monday Night Football still meant something.

In a game that featured six lead changes and four touchdowns by Marshall Faulk, Tampa Bay won the game thanks to a number of improbable plays. Torry Holt had given the Rams a 35-31 lead with 5:18 to go on a 72-yard touchdown catch. But Shaun King directed the Bucs on a 13-play, 80-yard drive in the final three minutes.

The key play was a swing lateral to Warrick Dunn. Dunn was trapped far behind the line and, as he was being dragged down, suddenly pitched the ball back to King. King shook loose and streaked down the right sideline for a 15-yard gain, and 15 more yards were tacked on for a late hit called on linebacker Mike Jones. Later, on a fourth-and-4, King scrambled for a first down. He then threw a 22-yard pass to Reidel Anthony, which set up Dunn's 1-yard TD run to clinch the 38-35 win for Tampa.

What sucked about this quick trip to Tampa was I ended up getting a nasty flu. I barely made it home and was laid up for over 3 days.

Tie Ball Game

Chicago Blackhawks v Philadelphia Flyers, December 18, 1993

The Spectrum, Sec S Row 7

Can't remember how I got these tickets. My brother was in town from Chicago so we hooked up for the game.

The Flyers Claude Boivin squared off against Neil Wilkerson in the latter part of the 1st earning both fighting majors. Michel Goulet scored the only 1st period tally with a set up by a young Jeremy Roenick.

The rest of the game's scoring took place in the 2nd. The Flyers Al Conroy netted a feed off of Eric Lindros for the Flyers 1st of the game. Blackhawks Christian Ruuttu put the Hawks up again in the 2nd until Yves Racine tied it up with assists credited to Mark Recchi and Garry Galley.

Jeff Hackett stopped 34 of 36 for the Blackhawks. The Flyers Tommy Soderstrom 23 of 25.

17,312 were on hand.

Dude Looks Like a Lady

Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers, December 17, 1992

The Spectrum, Sec Y, Row 14

A rushed day of Christmas shopping. Off from work at 4, jetted down to Delaware for some tax-free Christmas shopping, then off to the game.

That's what you do when you want to make a large purchase and live in the Tri State area; you drive down to Delaware and take advantage of there 0% sales tax.

A little fireworks in the 1st when the Flyers Ryan McGill squared up with Kevin Stevens. Both got fighting majors and game misconducts.

Former Flyer Rick Tocchett took no time paying back his former team for trading him. Toccett socred 2 power play goals in the first. Mario Lemieux assisted on both. The Flyers Keith Acton and Gord Hynes also netted goals in the 1st for the Flyers.

Pittsburgh's Jaromir agr scored his 13th of the year at the 3:19 mark of the 2nd.

The game was tied after regulation but was settled at the 2:50 mark of OT with Jagr's 2nd of the night on a set up by Lemieux.

Pens won 5-4 in front of 17,294.

Tom Barasso saved 27 of 31 shots as Tommy Soderstrom for the Flyers stopped 27 of 31 shots on goal.

NFC East Beatdown

Philadelphia Eagles v Washington Redskins, December 16, 2001

FedEx Field Sec 140 Row 21

My least favorite sports venue. Granted I would never step foot in a domed stadium.

Decent seats, if there is such a thing in an oversized NFL stadium.

The Redskins went ahead 6-0 on 2 Brett Conway field goals, one from 47, the other from 25.
Freddie Mitchell caught a Donovan McNabb 4 yard dump for the game's first TD. David Akers hit a 40 yard field goal before the halftime intermission to give the Birds a 10-6 lead.

In the 3rd, McNabb hit Todd Pinkston for a 62 yard TD hookup and Akers capped off the game's scoring with a 50 yard field goal in the final quarter.

McNabb threw for 235 yards in the game. The Redskins had Tony Banks barking signals. He had comparable numbers to McNabb in the game.

Whistle Happy Refs

Montreal Canadians v Carolina Hurricanes, December 15, 2008

RBC Center, Sec 102 Row X

The election of 2008 was over and the flow of money came to a grinding halt in the US. Not only myself, but everyone around was scared to death to spend a dollar because of the uncertainty of a new president with no proven leadership to guide us out of a mild downturn in the economy. If handled in an inexperience manner, everyone knew the recession would be prolonged, which it is.

Turns out I should have enjoyed myself more as it would be the last live sporting event I would attend in some time.




The Carolina Hurricanes have spent much of the season tinkering with a less-than-stellar power play through the first 30 games.

That work-in-progress continued under the bright lights of the RBC Center courtesy of the Montreal Canadians on Tuesday night as the Canes scored three power play goals on a season-high 11 attempts to beat the Canadiens 3-2.

The Canes have picked up at least a point in five of six games under new coach Paul Maurice and got back to .500 at home with the victory. The win also comes on the heels of two disappointing shootout road losses, games in which the Canes could have easily won in regulation as they trailed Southeast Division-leading Washington by eight points entering the game.

“We need to start stringing together wins,” said Joe Corvo, who now has 13 game winners out of 52 career goals. “We need four, five or six wins in a row now if we want to make any headway.”

The power-play wasn’t pretty at times, but Carolina notched three man-advantage goals for just the second time this season, matching the three it scored in a 6-4 victory against Toronto on Nov. 2.

Corvo and Eric Staal scored power-play goals on that night, too, with Corvo notching the game winner this time, with Staal continuing his recent hot streak with two goals, giving him five in his last four games.

“For an offensive guy you want as many power plays as you can get,” Staal said when asked if too many power plays can at times disrupt the flow of a game. “If the whole game was a power play I would take it.”

It was fitting that associate head coach Ron Francis was on hand to address the media after the game and not Maurice. The Hall of Famer has the task of trying to turn Carolina’s power play into a well-oiled machine, not the squeaky rusted wagon we’ve witnessed for most of the season.

“At the end of the day, it was probably a good performance,” said Francis. “It’s not easy when things haven’t been going well on the power play and you’re constantly hearing about how things aren’t happening for you.

“We didn’t start off as well as we would have liked, but give some credit to our fans, they didn’t jump on the guys right away. They were patient with them and we ended up scoring some goals that weren’t exactly pretty, but at the end of the day we scored three goals on the power play and we won the hockey game. That’s what matters.”

Playing without captain Saku Koivu and starting goalie Carey Price, along with three other regulars, the Canes outworked Montreal for most of the night. But the Canadiens hung around until the bitter end, and with Jaroslav Halak pulled for the extra attacker, Cam Ward had to make a nifty save on sharpshooter Alex Kovalev with 12 seconds left as a good outlet pass and defensive breakdown led to a 3-on-1 attack.

“He’s a gifted player and I was kind of fighting it in the second period, but it’s my job to come up with that big save with 10 seconds left,” said Ward, who improved to 90-61-16 in his career.

The second period had a little bit of everything, including Carolina’s third power-play goal on a blast by Corvo, a successful penalty shot and short-handed goal by Montreal, and a disallowed goal off a high stick by Andrei Markov that would have tied the score at 3-3.

Instead, Montreal continued its parade to the penalty box with six more minors on top of the five first-period infractions, much to the dismay of coach Guy Carbonneau, who gave referees Frederick L’Ecuyer and Brad Meier a 30-second stare-down as he left the ice at the end of the second period.

In a bizarre first period, the Canes went on the power play five times as the Canadiens managed just three shots on Ward. Carolina’s power play was dismal for the most part and the Canes registered a mere four man-advantage shots on Halak. But the Hurricanes were able to get two timely goals from Staal as he parked his big frame to the right of Halak for his 12th and 13th of the season.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Staal, who played in his 285th straight game and didn’t miss a shift after planting his face into the boards due to a cross-check in the second period. “That’s what it is, if you continue to work and not give up in your own end, staying with it on the defensive side of the puck, eventually you’re going to get those opportunities and chances and tonight I did. When you start to feel good things just start going for you and I’ll take them.”

NOTES: The Canes improved to 5-0-1 against the Northeast Division, but have yet to play Eastern Conference leader Boston or Buffalo. … Carolina scored at least two power-play goals for just the fourth time since the first two games of the season. … After going without a point in his first 10 games, Sergei Samsonov has 14 points in 21 games. … Rod Brind’Amour needs one more assist to reach 700 helpers for his career. … Ray Whitney’s five-game point streak came to an end. …. Ward has allowed four goals on nine career penalty shots. … Four of Maurice’s first six games have been decided by one goal.

Bitter Cold 700 Level

Miami Dolphins v Philadelphia Eagles, December 13, 1987

Veterans Stadium, Sec 705 Row 20

In his book If Football's a Religion, Why Don't We Have a Prayer?, Jere Longman described the 700 Level as having a reputation for "hostile taunting, fighting, public urination and general strangeness."

For the record, I did all of my peeing inside the men's room this day as I was with a lady.

Temps in the high 20's, wind getting trapped in the upper environs of the circular Vet. Overcast and gloomy. Ah, winter in Philadelphia.

What better place to take an out of town date along with your dad and brother in law but the 700 level for a football game in December. I needed to see if she could drink and take a punch before I would commit to another date.

A scoreless 1st quarter. Not good sitting on those frozen hard plastic seats (one of which now graces my sports bar) with no energy flowing through the crowd.

Mike Quick took a 44 yard pass from Randall Cunningham into the end zone in the 2nd to put the Eagles up first in the ball game. It wasn't long before Miami's Dan Marino connected with Mark Duper on a 22 yard slant to tie the game up. The Eagles Paul McFadden kicked a 27 yard field goal to put the Eagles up at the half 10-7 until the Fins Ron Davenport poked one in from the one. Dolphins 14-10 at the half.

It was all Miami in the 2nd half. Dan Marino connect twice with Mark Clayton, once on an 11 yard TD and another for a 20 yarder.

Dolphins win 28-10.

Giant Killers

Richmond v Virginia Commonwealth, December 10, 1983

Richmond Coliseum, Sec GA

In the 83-84 season, both Richmond and VCU made it to the NCAA tournament. Usually it is big news when a major basketball city like Philadelphia sends 2 teams to the dance. This was incredible for mid major city like Richmond.

VCU won in the first round on a buzzer beater shot against Northeastern by Rolando Lamb. Richmond went on to upset Charles Barkley and Auburn in Round 1. During this time period, small Richmond upset some other NCAA favorites to earn the name "giant killers".

Richmond had future NBA star Johnny Newman on the roster.

No Searchable Archives of Game

Greensboro Monarchs v Richmond Renegades, December 10, 1994

Richmond Coliseum, Sec 30L Row K

I was living in NJ at the time. I had a fraternity brother employed by the Renegades. So when I came into town I always had tickets. Plus, if I brought my son, he ended up with game pucks, autographs, sticks, etc.

GUUUUUUUUUYYYYYY

New York Rangers v Boston Garden, December 10, 1988

Boston Garden, Sec 80 Row E

My first time in the old Boston Garden. The night before we had a Christmas office party. Too much Tequila made my ticket partner puke in front of our girlfriends the night before. Being this was a 1PM afternoon game, we planned to meet around 10 to catch a train, drink, etc.
When I arrived, he was purple in the fetal position. He was unable to get up so he handed the two tickets to me and my girlfriend, who never has been to an NHL game.

The first thing I noticed when walking into the Garden was how small the ice surface was. The entire place was small. At this time, I have only other NHL arena I have ever been inside was the Spectrum.

Our balcony seats were almost hoovering over the ice surface. The stairs were steep. Each aisle
had a rail to prevent fans from tipping over when standing. The TV "booth" was actually a cat walk extended out over the front row of the balcony. The announcers had to climb out onto a catwalk to call the game. No booth, no protection from the fans.

What was striking was every time the Rangers Guy LeFleur touched the puck, out of respect, the entire Garden yelled "Guuuuuuuuuyyyyyy". LeFleur was a retired rival Montreal Canadian legend. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988. Then he came out of retirement and was picked up for the season by the Rangers. He went on the next two season to play with the Quebec Nordiques.

Andy Moog minded the net for the B's with John Vanbiesbrouck in the nets for the Rangers. Vanbiesbrouck stopped 32 of 33 shots. The Rangers only managed 17 shots in 65 minutes of hockey. Moog stopped 16.

All star defenseman Ray Bourque banged up a knee and left he game in OT. Craig Jenny was also lost as well.

Battle of the Beltway

Washington Redskins v Baltimore Ravens, December 7, 2008

M&T Stadium, Sec 247 Row 13

Highfalutin DC is only 40 miles to the south of blue collar Baltimore. The stadiums are much closer.

I looked all season for this 1PM tailgate at one of the best atmospheres in the NHL. The network stole that opportunity from me and moved this East Coast game to an 8:30 PM Sunday Night Game. Normally I would sell a ticket for a late night game and not even watch it on TV. But I couldn't miss an opportunity to see the Ravens play at home.

14 degrees at the kick off. And only getting colder. We were in the middle level of the stadium which gave us a climate controlled concourse with fancy food and a toasty environ. That's where the pussies hang out. I stayed in my seat from kick off to the last second, minus half time.

If the Redskins are fortunate, it might be another four years before they have to face the Baltimore Ravens again.

If the Redskins are lucky, maybe Ed Reed will be retired by then.Reed set up a touchdown with an interception and scored on a 22-yard fumble return, part of a stifling effort by the Baltimore defense in a 24-10 victory Sunday night.With their seventh win in eight games, the Ravens (9-4) enhanced their stature in the wild-card race and remained one game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. Baltimore hosts the Steelers next Sunday.Washington (7-6) has lost four of five. The Redskins trailed 17-0 before scoring twice in the fourth quarter after Baltimore turnovers, but couldn't complete the comeback.

"We were 6-2 and now we're 7-6 and you find that hard to believe," quarterback Jason Campell said. "You'd thought you'd at least be sitting here 9-2 or maybe 10-3."The Ravens sacked Campbell twice, forced two interceptions (both by Reed) and held Clinton Portis to 32 yards rushing."Ed is going to always be Ed," Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis said, "but the way our defense came out and set down Clinton Portis, the guys up front did an extremely incredible freaking job."Reed was a force the last time the teams played, a 17-10 Baltimore victory in 2004. In that game, he returned a fumble for a touchdown, made six tackles and had a sack.Reed was even better in the long-awaited rematch, although he's been playing the entire season with a bothersome neck injury.On the Redskins' third play from scrimmage, Campbell was hit by Terrell Suggs while throwing the ball, and Reed picked off the pass at the Baltimore 45."That tipped ball, that first pick, that's just somebody else making the play and me doing my job," Reed said. Rookie Joe Flacco promptly completed a 26-yard pass to Derrick Mason, and a 21-yard run by Ray Rice on a third-and-10 play led to an 8-yard touchdown run by LeRon McClain. Washington's third possession was as disastrous as the first. At the end of an 11-yard run, Portis had the ball stripped by Reed, who picked up the fumble and ran for a touchdown to make it 14-0 with less than 6 minutes elapsed. Redskins coach Jim Zorn insisted Portis was down, but a replay upheld the ruling.

"I was trying to rip it loose," Reed said. "I was going for it a little bit and it came out."Reed not only put the Ravens in control, he ended any chance the Redskins had of coming back with an interception with 1:53 left and Baltimore up 24-10."He's an outstanding player. He's probably the best safety, him and Troy Polamalu, that I've played against and I've seen," Campbell said of Reed. "Those guys are relentless."Baltimore and Washington play home games only 32 miles apart, but this was only the fourth meeting between the teams -- the first in Baltimore. The Ravens hold a 3-1 lead in the series, and probably won't get another crack at Washington until 2012.Reed will be 34 then, and the Redskins would be delighted to buy him a retirement gift if he decides to walk away from the game before their next matchup."Ed is a great player, an elite safety," Washington safety LaRon Landry said. "You just admire what he does and try to play like him. "Matt Stover kicked a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter to end a 14-play drive and make it 17-0, and it appeared the Ravens would coast to victory.But Washington got a field goal after an interception by Landry, and DeAngelo Hall returned a fumble by Willis McGahee 13 yards to the Baltimore 30 to set up a fourth-down touchdown pass from Campbell to Antwaan Randle El with 10:17 left.It was the first TD against the Ravens in 13 quarters and 46 possessions.Baltimore then launched an 83-yard drive in which McClain ran 10 times for 43 yards before Flacco threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Mason.Game over."I think you look at everybody on our football team and see frustration," Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. "There's no faking it. We have three games left now, and it's sudden death."Game notes
Olympic star Michael Phelps was part of the record crowd of 71,438. ... Portis moved in 2nd place on the Redskins career rushing list with 5,876 yards. ... Suggs got a sack to move into 2nd place on the Ravens' career list. He has 51 1/2, trailing only Pete Boulware (70). ... Redskins LT Chris Samuels left with a triceps injury, and RT Jon Jansen has a sprained ligament in his knee.

Purple People Eaters

Minnesota Vikings v Philadelphia Eagles, December 6, 1992

Veterans Stadium, Sec 272 Row 23

I suspect this was a cold weather game being the seat location is a buddy's father's tickets. He would not go to night games or cold games. And I was often the recipient of the extra ticket.

Eagles Randall Cunningham ran one in from the 1 yard line in the 1st after Minnesota's Faud Reviez kicked a 32 yard field goal. Minnesota upped the score to 10-7 on a Terry Allen rush from the 3 yard line. Health Sherman, for the Eagles, poked in a 1 yarder before the half allowing the home team to take 14-10 lead into the intermission.

The 2nd half gave us more of the same. 1 yard pokes from both Minnesota's Allen and Philly's Cunningham. Seth Joyner picked a Sean Salisbury pass in the 4th and ran it back 24 yards for a touchdown, and the back breaker for the Vikings.

I AM (REPLACEMENT) IRONMAN

Black Sabbath, December 6, 1981

Richmond Coliseum, GA 2

The Mob Rules Tour. The Alvin Lee Band opened. I really had no idea who Alvin Lee was but the band's guitarist was Mick Taylor, formerly of The Rolling Stones.

Putting this blog together you learn a few tidbits when there is a record of the invent on the internet. I thought Ozzy was still with the band for this tour. I just found out today he already left the band and Ronnie Jame Dio was the lead singer. I did see Ozzy during this period while he was on his own. (future posting).

Richmond was not what many would consider a major market. At the time the ticket takers would tear a ticket and hand back to the patron the smaller portion which had no relevant information (Event, Date). I hand wrote the info on my ticket stub.....nub.

Known Setlist:

1. E5150
2. Neon Knights
3. NIB
4. Children of the sea
5. Turn up the night
6. Black Sabbath
7. War Pigs
8. Slipping Away
9. Drum Solo
10. Slipping Away
    
11. Iron Man
12. The Mob Rules
13. Heaven and Hell
14. Guitar solo
15. Heaven and Hell
    
16. Paranoid
17. Heaven and Hell
    
18. Children of the Grave
19. Fluff
    

Auburn Visits Richmond

Auburn v Virginia, December 3, 2004

Stuart Siegel Center, Sec 9 Row L

Correction: The University of Virginia did come back to play in Richmond after the embarrassment on national TV at the cancellation of a game due to a slippery court. Michigan State came to town in 2001 as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, a made for TV faux-rivalry. But Virginia stiffed the outdated and poorly run Richmond Coliseum in favor of a newer, much smaller venue.

Virginia freshman Sean Singletary gave coach Pete Gillen the aggressive performance he was looking for.Singletary scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half, including eight in a 10-5 run when Virginia (No. 25 ESPN/USA Today, No. 24 AP) went ahead to stay with just over seven minutes left, helping the Cavaliers to an 89-87 victory over Auburn on Friday night.His solid performance comes one game after a Virginia slipped past Northwestern 48-44 in the ACC-Big Ten challenge Wednesday night."You've got the take what the defense gives you," the freshman from Philadelphia said. "They were keying on J.R. (Reynolds) and Devin (Smith). I had a lot of open opportunities, so I just took advantage of it."Singletary hit 9 of 16 shots, including a 3-pointer in the go-ahead spurt, and grabbed seven rebounds for the Cavaliers. Smith added 23 points and eight rebounds, Elton Brown scored 17 and Reynolds scored 12.The Cavaliers needed all of it to overcome a huge game by Tigers freshman Toney Douglas, who had 33 points, and a strange ending.Leading 89-84, Singletary committed a foul in the backcourt with three seconds left. Ian Young made his first free throw, missed the second and Quinnel Brown rebounded, scored and was fouled by Smith with 1.7 seconds remaining. Brown tried to bang a miss off the rim to allow for a tying tip, but the ball was slapped out to halfcourt and Virginia held on.Douglas, who had 38 points in a victory against Nicholls State, was 11-for-18 from the field and hit five of Auburn's 13 3-pointers."I love it when teams think that because we're small, they can blow us out," Douglas said after the Tigers lineup included no starter taller than 6-foot-6. "They're wrong. We use speed and shooting to keep us in games."Nathan Watson and Ronny LeMelle added 15 points each and Young had 11 as the Tigers shot 52.6 percent and the Cavaliers shot 53.2 percent."We were fortunate that we were able to score because we couldn't stop them," Gillen said. "That freshman is unbelievable."Douglas pulled the Tigers to 79-78 on a 3-pointer with 3:10 left, but after Brown hit two free throws for Virginia, Gary Forbes knocked the ball away from Douglas a moment later and Smith's 3-pointer made it 84-78.Another 3-pointer by Watson with 1:34 left pulled the Tigers to 85-82, a margin that ed better after Jason Clark missed two free throws for the Cavaliers, but two straight scoreless trips down the floor for the Tigers and the first two of Reynolds' late free throws eased the suspense.The loss was the first for the Tigers (5-1) under coach Jeff Lebo.

74 Cup Rematch

Boston Bruins v Philadelphia Flyers, December 3, 1989

The Spectrum, Sec B Row 19

Just moved from Boston back to Philadelphia. The Bruins grew on me while in Boston. The Garden particular. But this was the Flyers at the Spectrum and I have my loyalties.

It was a scoreless 1st Period but the refs had their whistles out calling every hold and high stick, much like the new NHL.

Dave Poulin took a feed from Gord Murphy at the 3:15 mark of the 2nd to put the Flyers up. The Bruins Randy Burridge scored to tie the game up with Ray Bourque and Greg Hawgood assisting on the goal. Robbie Gould scored the game winning goal for the B's in the 3rd.

The Bruins out shot the Bruins in the first with 13 shots to 3. The Flyers only managed 25 shots for the entire game. 17,423 were on hand for the home team loss.

9/11/01 Postponed Makeup Game

Penn State v Virginia, December 1, 2001

Scott Stadium, Sec 524 Row R

A makeup game as the original game was scheduled as a Thursday night game on September 13, 2 days after 9/11. All football was postponed that weekend.

Had my son at this one. We started out in our seats but he wanted to work our way down to the open ended end zone and sit on the hill.
Zack Mills' voice was barely audible as he blamed himself for Penn State's season-ending loss.
Mills threw three interceptions and was stripped for a fumble that Art Thomas returned 92 yards for a game-changing touchdown Saturday as Virginia rallied to win 20-14, ending Penn State's bowl aspirations.
"The guy made a great play, and I didn't protect the ball," Mills said, speaking of John Duckett's strip in the third quarter, when the Nittany Lions (5-6) seemed on the brink of taking a commanding lead.
"Football is a lot about momentum. It kind of put the pressure on us to throw the ball more, and I didn't make the plays."
Thomas' return did change the momentum in a huge way, pulling the Cavaliers (5-7) to 14-13, but late interceptions by Chris Williams and then Angelo Crowell with 1:12 left put the Nittany Lions away for good.
"They gave themselves something to remember about this year's team," first-year coach Al Groh said. "They showed tremendous will to win."
Penn State, which started with four losses and had rallied to win five of six, all by coming from behind, turned the ball over five times, with Matt Senneca throwing the interception to Williams with 2:09 to play.
"It's real disappointing, especially for the seniors who have been through so much," Senneca said. "We were one game away from turning this whole thing around, and it just slips away from us like that."
Mills finished 12-for-24 for 136 yards. Senneca was 0-for-4.
Coach Joe Paterno, who earlier this season broke coach Bear Bryant's Division I record of 323 victories, finished the year with 327.
The tide turned midway through the third quarter with Mills rolling left and looking to run on a third-and-6 play from Virginia's 8.
Instead, Duckett sliced through and knocked the ball away, where it landed near Thomas' feet and the cornerback had no one in front of him.
"I didn't know anybody was chasing me, but I was thinking in the back of my head, `I can't get caught if somebody is, so keep running,"' he said.
It was the longest fumble return in Virginia history.
"That's one of the biggest plays of our entire year, if not the biggest play," tailback Alvin Pearman said. "After that, we got fired up and once we got that going, we just sucked the will out of them."
It was the first time Penn State had lost a fumble in seven games, and the play brought the crowd back to life, and the Cavaliers, too.
Virginia forced Penn State to go three-and-out and, with Bryson Spinner taking over at quarterback, drove 57 yards in eight plays. Pearman capped the march with a 16-yard touchdown run that produced the final.
The score came with 3:20 left in the third quarter, leaving the Nittany Lions plenty of time to come back, but Virginia's defense didn't allow it. Mills was intercepted twice, Senneca once the rest of the way.
The final quarter also included the second and third missed field goals of the game by Virginia's David Greene, who also made two earlier, and a miss by Penn State's Robbie Gould with 10:21 remaining.
Antwoine Womack, who helped create a spat between Paterno and former Virginia coach George Welsh when he committed to Penn State and then attended Virginia, gained 153 yards on 31 carries in his final game.
After missing most of the season with injuries, Womack was exhausted after being the workhorse, but ecstatic to be leaving a winner.
"It was just amazing, just to get this win, just everything," he said. "We knew we could win the game. The whole objective was to pound them, to suck the will out of them. Coach was saying that all week."
The Nittany Lions led 14-6 at halftime after two 80-yard drives. Eric McCoo ran 3 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter, and Mills hit Mick Blosser with a 4-yard pass midway through the second.
It was Blosser's first career touchdown reception.
The second drive was kept alive by a running into the kicker flag against Virginia after Penn State was forced to punt from its own 35.
Greene kicked field goals of 32 and 37 yards for the Cavaliers, the latter on the final play of the half after Jerton Evans' interception of Mills at the Nittany Lions 12. Greene missed from 27, 25 and 33 yards.

End of a Streak

Vancouver Canucks v Philadelphia Flyers
December 2, 1996

Core States Center, Sec 221 Row 3

First year in the new Core States Center. It was still a novelty. The vantage point to the ice is much further then the old Spectrum. But it is still too new and early to wax poetic for the legendary Spectrum.

Most notable take away from this game was an injury to Vancouver's Trevor Linden. He played from October 4, 1990 in 482 consecutive games, the longest in the league at the time. He left this game with an injury which would put an end to his streak.

Nothing like a 1st minute penalty to start a game. The Flyers Eric Lindros was flagged for a high sticking at the 0:27 mark of the first. Dan Kordic and Vancouver's Gino Odjick squared off in the first with the Flyers Donald Brascher getting involved in the tussle. Dispite 11 shots on goal, the Flyers were unable to light the lamp in the opening period.

The Canucks Martin Gelinas scored the game's first goal. The Flyers Rod Brind'Amour tied it up 2 minutes later

The floodgates opened in the 3rd. Eric Desjardins scored a power play goal with feeds off of Eric Lindros and John LeClair in the opening minute of the final period. Russ Courtnall responded for Vancouver quickly to knot the game up at 2-2. John LeClair scored his 14th of the year at the 4:39 mark. In a see saw fashion, Vancouver scored next to tie the game up again.

The Flyers Scott Daniel got the game winning goal with a feed off of Kevin Haller and Rod Brind'Amour. Ron Hextall got the win in this 4-3 win with Vancouver's net minder Cory Hirsch suffering the loss.

19,068 were on hand.

The Flyers did reach the Finals this season even with star Eric Lindos missing 30 games. John LeClair scored 50 goals in the 96-97 season.

Catherdral of Basketball

Virginia v Penn, December 1, 1992

The Palestra, Sec 104 Row 6

A planned basketball game when it was announced that UVA would be playing near us. What wasn't planned was the immediate family member's death that happened 2 days prior. On game day many out of town guests were in town for a funeral. So I got to take someone from out of state to see a basketball game at the legendary Palestra.

Penn went 22-5 this season.

Army Navy Classic

Army v Navy, December 1, 1984

Veterans Stadium, Sec 719, Row 14

A year after the game took a trip out west to be played in the Rose Bowl, it moved back to Philadelphia.
The classic was played in the old JFK Stadium (named Municipal Stadium prior to 1964) across the street from 1945-1979, moving to the newer Veterans Stadium in 1980. My dad was a big fan of the game and attended many games at Municipal Stadium in the 60's in the Roger Staubach years.
In fact, my grandfather collapsed and died after attending the 1962 classic.

We had tickets in hand but were under the stadium outside where we saw tons of people with either Go Army or Go Navy tshirts that were given away by a beer company. We asked a security guard at a non-ticket entrance underneath where all those people go their shirts. He pointed inside the stadium and said the people (giving away shirts) just walked by. He motioned us inside sans tickets. My ticket stub was never ripped.


Army 28 Navy 11

Alma Mater

Johns Hopkins v Virginia Commonwealth University, December 1, 1983

Richmond Coliseum, GA

The 83-84 season, VCU made it to the 2nd Round of the NCAA tourney. The team went 23-7. The team beat Northeastern in the 1st Round on a buzzer beater by Rolando Lamb. They lost in the 2nd Round to #3 Syracuse.

Shortly after this game, Sports Illustrated did a feature on VCU's Calvin Duncan. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121556/index.htm

Legion of Doom Nets Game Winner

Toronto Maple Leafs v Philadelphia Flyers, November 30, 1995

The Spectrum, Sec 59 Row 4

Our seats in the Crows Nest. A walk down stairs to the 2nd level. Many steps down from the 2nd level to the first level and concourse. And the bathrooms were in the basement of the old Spectrum. So it was like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro with a beer just coming back from taking a piss. This was the Flyers last year in the Spectrum.

Rod Brind'Amour netted an unassisted goal at 10:05 in the opening stanza to put the Flyers up.
Toronto scored the next two goals in the 2nd. First with Dave Andreychuk was set up by Doug Gilmour at the 5:10 mark and Craig scored another in the last 30 seconds of the period. Eric Lindros drew a roughing penalty at the buzzer, giving the visitors a man advantage to start the 3rd.

Brent Fedyk tied up the game on a Flyers power play. And with Larry Murphy in the sin-bin for the Maple Leafs, Mikeal Reneberg, off a feed from Eric Lindros, at the 18:57 mark to put the Flyers up for good.

Garth Snow got the win for the Flyers with 24 saves on 26 shots.

17,380 were on hand for the victory.

Flyers 3 Toronto 2

Natural Hat Trick

Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers, November 29, 1991

The Spectrum, Sec A Row 19

Three days after Pittsburgh coach Bob Johnson lost his battle with cancer. A nice tribute to start the game.

Tom Bar-asshole in the nets for the Pens against the Flyers Ken Wregget (until he was pulled for Dominic Rousell). Wregget lived in my apartment complex at the time he played with the Flyers.

Pittsburgh's Kevin Stevens scored a natural hat trick in the first period. Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux chipped in for the Penguins in the 2nd when Pittsburgh pulled ahead to a 6-0 lead.
The Flyers Rod Brind'Amour netted 2 in the 3rd along with Dan Quinn to cut the deficit in half.

Lemiuex added his 2nd of the game and 16th of the year in the 3rd.

Inaugural Year for Phantoms

Providence Bruins v Philadelphia Phantoms, November 29, 1996

The Spectrum, Sec W Row 5

Old school Spectrum when the 1st level were lettered and the upper were section number beginning with "200". Soon after the Spectrum changed the seating sections for some unknown reason to me.

Villanova at the Palestra

Rhode Island v Penn State and

Towson v Villanova, November 28, 2008 The Palestra, Sec 201 Row 2

A Philly Hoop Group opening round double header at the fabled Palestra.

URI 77 Penn State 72

2nd Game: Once Villanova settled down, everything else fell into place. Especially in the second half.

Scottie Reynolds scored 14 points, Dante Cunningham and Antonio Pena both had 12, and No. 20 Villanova overcame a sluggish start to defeat Towson 64-47 in the Philly Classic on Friday night.

"I think we just executed better," Villanova coach Jay Wright said. "We weren't really poised in the first half."

Corey Fisher added 11 points for the Wildcats (5-0), who will play Rhode Island in Saturday's championship game. Rhode Island advanced by beating Penn State 77-72.

Junior Hairston scored 11 for Towson (3-2), which had been off to its best start in nine years. Hairston, the team's leading scorer and rebounder last season, gave the Tigers a lift in his second game back after being suspended for the first three games for a violation of team policy.

"This is the most physical team I've played since I've been at Towson," Hairston said. "There's a reason why they're ranked."

Villanova led by as many as nine in the first half, but Towson whittled the margin to 30-28. The Wildcats took a 33-28 halftime lead on Fisher's 3-pointer just before the buzzer.

Villanova opened the second half with a 13-3 spurt, keyed by back-to-back baskets by Cunningham, to take a 46-30 lead with 13:32 left. The Wildcats extended their advantage to 53-32 on a basket by Pena with 10:02 remaining.

"We had open shots," Reynolds said. "In the second half, we came out and executed. We made the easy pass and we weren't trying to do everything by ourself with the ball."

Towson made only 18 of 55 shots, including 5-of-27 from 3-point range.

"We just couldn't make any shots," coach Pat Kennedy said. "We're really, really pleased with our effort. We really competed against them."

Thanksgiving Tradition

Scranton Wilkes Barre Penguins v Philadelphia Phantoms, November 28, 2003

The Spectrum, Sec ?

A Thanksgiving Friday matchup. The Flyers assigned left wing Todd Fedoruk and defenseman Jim Vandermeer to the Phantoms on this date.

Greatest Embarrassment in the NCAA

Michigan State v Virginia, November 28, 2001

Richmond Coliseum, Section 15U Row K

A made for TV farce. ESPN, when not producing chick basketball and hyping the Yankees and Red Sox, dabble in men's basketball sometimes. This event was a Big Ten v ACC challenge.

Virginia played this game in Richmond, 7o miles from campus. The Richmond Coliseum is an outdated, often not used arena. When an event of notoriety does show up, the staff is ill prepared to handle a crowd.

Tonight was no exception.

Final Virginia 31 Michigan State 28 *

Virginia was ranked # 8 and Michigan St #17 at the time.

The sellout crowd was electric for the little time a game was played. Players began slipping and sliding all over the court in the 1st half. At the half the teams went into the locker room for a unusual amount of time. The 2nd half started with more slipping and sliding.

The Coliseum was also used for a minor league hockey team. The court covered the ice. Because of high humity outside and poor air conditions inside, condensation kept forming on the floor, making it too dangerous to continue the game.

A sellout crowd booed, a national television audience was disappointed, and neither ACC nor Big Ten officials were happy, but both schools were relieved that no player was injured during the game.

With the threat of a serious injury lurking with every cut and rebound, referees decided five minutes into the second half to stop the Michigan State-Virginia game at the Richmond Coliseum because of a wet floor. The Cavaliers led, 31-28.

The game was never finished or made up. And the University of Virginia never ventured back to the neutral site Richmond since the embarrassment on national TV.

Greatest House in the NFL

Philadelphia Eagles v Washington Redskins, November 28, 1993

RFK Stadium, Section 242 Row 14

Not sure how I landed these tickets. I know my brother in law was there. I drove down from NJ, he drove up from Richmond. Tickets were hard to come by when the Skins played in the old RFK Stadium.

I think this was my first time seeing an NFL played on grass. All my other experiences were from the Vet (fake, fake looking artificial turf).

RFK had many characteristics of The Vet. But it was smaller, louder and it didn't feel like they tried to jamb a rectangle into a round stadium. There was history here. The names of Redskins greats on the fascia around the upper deck.

Our seats were in an end zone on pull out bleachers which retracted for baseball (The Senators left town in the early 70's). And when the game got going, the bleachers got rocking. The fans bounce in unison making the entire game fell like a deep sea expedition. The only thing taking away from this magnificent experience was my team, the Eagles, were on the field. It had to root against the home team.

The Eagles were coming off 4 straight losses. A Matt Bahr 22 yard field goal put the visitors up 3-0 early in the first. It was the only scoring in the opening quarter. The Redskins sucked too this year. But the place was still dynamic.

Vaughn Hebron crashed the line for a 1 yard TD run in the second putting the Eagles up 10-0, which was the score going into the half.

The 3rd period was lifeless due to the ineptness of both teams on the field.
Rich Gannon did hook up with a 17 yard TD pass to Tim McGee in the 4th to pull the Redskins within 3 to the delight of the passionate fan bouncing the bleachers up and down. Gannon again connect, this time with Art Monk for a6 yard TD. Talk about excitement. Monk is an all time Redskin favorite and to put the team up was electric.

The jubilation did not last all afternoon. Philadelphia's Bubby Brister hit James Joseph for a 2 yard dump into the end zone late in the regulation to put the Eagles up for good.

Eagles 17 Redskins 14

Perfect Sunday

New York Giants v Philadelphia Eagles, November 24, 1990

Veterans Stadium, Sec 725, Row 11

700 Level. The Vet. The Giants. Heaven.

Out of every NFL game I have been to, this was the perfect one. A rival. Beautiful sunny warm November day. National TV exposure. Bill Parcels and Buddy Ryan on the sidelines. The Giants were 10-0 at the time and would go on to win the Super Bowl this season. None of that mattered today.

Phil Simms connected with Mark Ingram on a 15 yard pass for the game's first points. Randall Cunningham hit Fred Barrnett on a 49 yard pass to neutralize the score. In the 2nd Cunningham took a keeper from the 1 yard line in for an Eagles 14-7 lead. Danvers High product Mark Bravo took a 4 yard pass from Simms in but the PAT failed. The home Eagles took a 14-13 lead into the half.

It was all Philadelphia in the 2nd half. A Roger Ruzak 39 yard FG, and a Calvin Williams pass reception tacked on another 10 points for the Eagles offense. Byron Evans intercepted a Phil Simms pass and ran it in the end zone for a 23 yard TD.

The Eagles won the game 31-13.

Thanksgiving Hockey

Football Is Back In Baltimore

Jacksonville Jaguars v Baltimore Ravens, November 24, 1996

Memorial Stadium, Sec L38 CC1

I'm an Eagles fan who was getting pissed with the Eagles and head coach Rich Kotite. A new NFL team moves within tailgating distance so I became intrigued enough to check it out. And have been a fan since.

A cold, bitter day in Baltimore. A buddy from LA was in town so we jetted down to Baltimore for a game. This game was played at the old Memorial Stadium. Our seat were on field level in the end zone, right next to the old Orioles home dugout. This is where the Ravens entered the field and exited.

The resently relocated Cleveland Browns were not off to an impressive start for their new fans in Baltimore. They were 3-8 coming into this game. In the first quarter Mike Caldwell intercepted and ran back a 45 yard TD for Baltimore.

In the 2nd, Matt Stover kicked a 21 yard FG to put the Ravens up 10-0. Jacksonville's Jame Stewart poked in a 1 yard run in the 2nd. Stover, then Jacksonville's Mike Hollis traded FGs in the 2nd until Stover kicked another one through the uprights to make the score 16-10 at the half.

Baltimore's Bam Morris ran in a 1 yarder but the PAT failed. Proving to be big later.
The Jaguars Mark Brunell connected twice for TDs in the 4th to tie the game up and sending the game into OT.

In overtime, Jacksonville's Mike Hollis nailed a 34 yard FG to win the game.

Little Club in Big House

Hershey Bears v Philadelphia Phantoms, November 23, 2001

First Union Center, Sec 304 Row 10

We made it a tradition to go to the Thanksgiving Friday Phantoms game. This one did us in. At least for see the Phantoms at the Big House.

The AHL Phantoms began playing the old Spectrum when the Flyers moved next door to the Core States Center/First Union Center/Wachovia Center.

The new building has never been a good substitute for the Flyers. Now it was evident it sucked seeing the Phantoms there too.

Jordan Krestanovich scored twice in the third period as the visiting
Hershey Bears rallied for a 4-4 tie with the Philadelphia Phantoms.
Krestanovich netted a power-play marker 4:46 into the final period,
drawing Hershey within two scores.

After Riku Hahl netted a power-play goal midway through
the third, the 20-year-old winger then beat goaltender Maxime
Ouellet on a penalty shot with 1:53 left in regulation as the
Bears improved to 4-1-2 over their last seven.

Frederic Cassivi was pulled late in the first period but returned to start the
second, collecting 15 saves, including three in the extra
session, to preserve the tie. John Slaney tied for the
league-lead in goals among defenseman with his eighth marker
five minutes into the middle stanza for a 3-0 Philadelphia lead.

The Phantoms remain unbeaten (3-0-4) over their last seven
games. Ouellet yielded one goal on the first 13 shots he faced,
but surrendered three goals on the final 15 Hershey chances to
settle for the tie.

Only 10,610 showed up for the event.  During this time period, when Hershey was in town,
games at the Spectrum were routinely sell outs.

Stover Wins With OT Kick

Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens, November 20, 2005

M&T Stadium, Section 132, Row 18

Favorite new stadium. Hands down. I am not a Baltimore native but I have to give it to them for having the best game day atmosphere of any NFL place I've been to in recent years. Baltimore is a small, concentrated football passionate city. I would have never guessed in the mid 90's when Cleveland moved the Browns to Baltimore that this city would ever allow another team to replace the Colts. It has only gotten better.

A typical AFC Central defensive battle. No points in the 1st quarter. And the first points would be a boomer of a 47 yard FG from Baltimore's Matt Stover. The Steelers Jeff Reid responded with a 44 yarder of his own in the 2nd.

The Ravens Kyle Boller threw a 3 yard TD pass to Randy Hymes while both kickers cancelled each other out to finish off the half with Baltimore up 13-6.

Baltimore's defense kept Pittsburgh from adding to their tally in the 3rd and most of the 4th. But backup quarterback Tommy Maddox connected with Willie Parker to tie the ballgame up in the 4th.

Regulation ended 13-13. A rare OT for the NFL.

A Matt Stover 44 yarder sealed the victory for Baltimore.

I Must Be Front Row

New York Rangers v Pittsburgh Penguins, November 18, 2007

The Igloo, Section A16, Row A

I hate using a Bob Uecker line in my title being he is such a pecker head in person.
Front row. Beer on the dasher boards. Pucks flying at us during warm ups. I even took that photo from my cell phone.

The Penguins dropped yet another game in which they built a two goal lead when Jason Strudwick scored his first goal of the season 1:40 into overtime.

Pittsburgh came out like gang busters early on as Maxime Talbot tallied a shorthanded goal off of a nice feed from Sidney Crosby.

Three minutes later, with the extra attacker on due to a delayed penalty, Sidney found the back of the net past Henrik Lundqvist.

Pittsburgh doesn't play well with an early comfortable lead.

The second period was all New York, specifically former Penguin Michal Rozsival, as he scored two goals in a five minute span. Daniel Girardi scored a power play goal late in the second to give th Rangers a 3-2 lead. All three goals in the period were scored by defensemen.

Petr Sykora scored another garbage goal in front of the net off of a sweet kick pass by Evgeni Malkin.

With Sid's two first period points and Malkin's assist in the third, both players extended their career long scoring streaks another game. You would think having two of the NHL's top five players on your roster would win you more games, the problem is that they are they only guys on the team putting up numbers.

Sykora, the only guy not named Malkin or Crosby to contribute scoring.

The Rangerss scored a minute and a half in to OT to win the game. Sergei Gonchar was in deep and tried to feed a puck to the slot and the Blue Shirts just took it up ice on an odd man rush, the rest is history.

Gamecocks Upset

South Carolina v Navy, November 17, 1984

Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium, Sec 104 Row 24


A college buddy had a brother playing for Navy at the time. The morning of the game he called to ask if I wanted to ride with his parents to the game. At the time I had no idea who Navy was playing or that their opponent was #1 in the nation.

Being the Midshipman were 3-5-1 at the time and coming off a 29-0 loss to Syracuse the week before, no one saw an upset coming. Still, the stadium was packed with optimism.

The Navy website timeline of history states: Navy defeats top ranked South Carolina, 38-21, in one of the biggest upsets ever for the Mids, marking only the third time Navy has beaten an opponent ranked this high.

Rare NFL Tie

Philadelphia Eagles v Baltimore Ravens, November 16, 1997

Memorial Stadium, Section L27, Row 13

The Ravens were only in their 2nd year in Baltimore. Already there was an atmosphere like they belonged. The NFC East showed up on their schedule so it was an opportunity to see the Eagles play on the road and only travel a few hours.

Memorial Stadium was the old place where the Baltimore Colts used to play. The Ravens used the stadium for a few years after moving from Cleveland (Browns) until their new M&T Bank Stadium was being built. An old, dark and damp stadium more suited for baseball in the middle of a neighborhood.

The Ravens scored first in the game when quarterback Vinny Testeverde connected on a 29 yard pass to Michael Jackson. That was the only scoring in the entire 1st half.

The Eagles got on the board in the 3rd with a 33 yard field goal. The Ravens Matt Stover connected for one of his own FGs in the 4th. Also in the 4th the Eagles Charlie Garner ran one in from the 2 yard line. This made the score 10-10.

After a scoreless OT periods, that is how it ended. In a rare NFL tie game.

The Eagles QB was Bobby Hoying who finished with 26 of 38 for 276 yards.

T.O. Show

Philadelphia Eagles v Dallas Cowboys, November 15, 2004

Texas Stadium, Section ??

It was a protest game. I always hated the Cowboys and never yearned to go to Dallas to see them play. But my dad was a Cowboys fan in Philadelphia since Staubach's days playing the the Army Navy game at JFK Stadium. It was a milestone birthday so we decided to take him to see his favorite team in their own ballpark.

It just happened the Eagles were the closest home game to his birthday and it was a Monday Night game. So it made it more of a compelling trip.

We did not "tailgate" but went into a corralled off area in the parking lot where there were bands, food and beer. We bought my dad a personalized Cowboys jersey. The place had a pretty fair share of Eagles fans who traveled. And some one from the old neighborhood noticed my dad's name and came over to hang out with us. They made the trip from Philadelphia for the game.

When we go into the stadium and I got to see the field I had that same feeling of awe like the first time walking into Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Boston Garden and the Montreal Forum. There was a sense of history. It probably was the team I have most seen on TV (outside of Eagles games) and the stadium I have seen the most, but have never visited.

We sat in the end zone, first level 16 rows from the field. I can't find my ticket stub

Terrell Owens got the fun started with a 59-yard touchdown he considered so easy that he celebrated by pretending to ice skate in the end zone. Then he followed a 27-yarder with his favorite Texas Stadium pose, spreading out his arms while standing on the Cowboys logo.

When he scored again, Owens just dunked the ball over the crossbar. Might as well save the good stuff for a tight game, because by then the Philadelphia Eagles were well on their way to a 49-21 victory Monday night.

Donovan McNabb made sure the Eagles (8-1) bounced back from their only loss this season, throwing four touchdown passes and setting up another with an incredible, scrambling 60-yard completion. Lito Sheppard capped a record-setting night for both teams with a 101-yard interception return for another score in the closing minutes.

"The guys took pride in themselves to come out here and rebound from the loss last week," said Owens, who had 134 yards on six catches. "We came in with a passion, the pride and the character of the guys on this team, and it showed today."

The Eagles quickly showed why they should still be considered the midseason favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl by scoring 35 points in the first half -- more than they'd scored in any game this season. They wound up with their most points in a regular-season game since beating the St. Louis Cardinals 52-10 in November 1981.

"It takes a couple plays for us to get a little momentum," said McNabb, who was 15-of-28 for 345 yards with no interceptions. "Once things get going, we feel confident that every play that we call is going to be effective and possibly get in the end zone."

The most amazing play didn't reach the end zone, but that's a minor quibble.

Facing third-and-10 from the Philadelphia 25, McNabb spun away from one would-be tackler and sprinted to his right, only to find another defender waiting. So he went back to his left, chased by two more players, and finally heaved the ball, letting loose a 60-yard pass toFreddie Mitchell. . Replays showed McNabb held the ball for 14 seconds before the pass.

"It felt like a video game out there," he said.

Brian Westbrook followed with a 1-yard TD run, giving Philadelphia touchdowns the last five times it had the ball before halftime, a streak that continued on its first drive of the third quarter.

There was the minor interruption of a punt, but the Cowboys (3-6) fumbled the return, adding to the humiliation of their fifth loss in six games -- and their eighth in nine tries against the Eagles.

This one was eminently forgettable for Dallas fans as the team gave up its most points ever at home and its most anywhere since a 50-24 loss at Cincinnati in December 1985. The Cowboys allowed four touchdowns in one quarter (the second) for the first time in franchise history and the 35 points Philadelphia scored in the first half tied another dubious record.

After calling his team "stupid" following a 26-3 loss to Cincinnati last week, Dallas coach Bill Parcells tried holding his tongue.

"We just got to get better," he said. "I'm not going to get into the state of the union right now."

The Eagles loved every minute of it, especially Owens.

He was in such a good mood after his first touchdown that he and McNabb playfully argued on the sideline, mocking their sideline confrontation from last week. He celebrated his second touchdown on the Cowboys' star in the end zone, mocking his midfield moment four years ago that marked his entry into the realm of post-touchdown performers.

Owens finished with his second three-TD game of the season and upped his NFL-best total of scoring catches to 12.

"It's never easy," he said. "I just make it look easy."

Parcells grimaced through it all, knowing there was little he could do about yet another lopsided loss. The Cowboys' season is a bust, with the only curiosity left being when he'll turn the offense over to rookie quarterback Drew Henson.

Vinnie Tesaverde playing two days after turning 41, was decent enough to keep the future leader on the sideline. He was 21-of-30 for 254 yards with two touchdowns to Jason Witten. Eddie George added a 15-yard touchdown run.

Testaverde's only interception came in the end zone with about five minutes left. Sheppard took it all the way, breaking past the defense around the 30. Keyshawn Johnson grabbed his collar at the goal line and just held on, knowing he was too late.

Philadelphia's biggest struggle was on third down, a problem that's bothered the Eagles for weeks. The skid ended on McNabb's 60-yarder to Mitchell.

About the only thing Philadelphia did wrong was call a timeout in the closing seconds of the first half, when the Cowboys had taken a knee and were walking to the locker room. Parcells stalked back to midfield, then stared across the field.

It was the same blank look he wore most of the night.