The first two Men’s Regional Semifinals were close but the higher seeded schools prevailed. Top seeded Kansas overcame a fiesty Southern Illinois squad to post a 61-58 win, advancing to the West regional Final where they’ll await the winner of the second game between second seeded UCLA and third seeded Pittsburgh. Expect a similar kind of score with the Bruins prevailing.

The Jayhawks got off to a quick 8-2 start on the fourth seeded Salukis but never could pull away. Southern Illinois used their stifling trademark D and slower pace to frustrate Kansas. The teams exchanged three point leads with the Jayhawks taking a 27-24 lead into the locker room.

Southern Illinois would come out strong in the second half scoring the first eight to take a five point lead. But Kansas would comeback to tie it at 45.

Down the stretch, it looked like the higher seeded Jayhawks had it won when they made three of four free throws to go up 58-53 with 1:23 to go. However, the Salukis’ leading scorer Jamaal Tatum (game high 19) hit a stepback trey from the corner to pull them within two with over a minute remaining. After Mario Chalmers split a pair of free throws, Tatum hit a tough 17 foot fadeaway on the baseline to slice it to one with just over 46 ticks left. With an 11 second differential between shot and game clock, Kansas’ forward Brandon Rush hit a driving layup to make it a three-point lead again with 25 seconds remaining. He was the only Jayhawk into double figures with 12, making all six of his field goals.
After a timeout, Tatum’s three from the left wing would fall off with eight left. Teammate Randal Falker got the offensive rebound but hesitated before turning it over, forcing them to foul Wright with 2.2 left. With a chance to seal it, Wright missed both but Tony Young’s desperation 40 footer was well off the mark allowing Kansas to hold on for the three point win.

In the first South regional semi, No.2 seeded Memphis cameback to edge third seeded Texas A & M 65-64. Both teams exchanged leads all game. When star point guard Acie Law IV putback his own rebound to put the Aggies up 63-61 with 3:26 left, the momentum was with Texas A & M in comfortable surroundings in San Antonio.

With both teams struggling at the line, the Aggies held a 64-63 lead with 47 seconds to play. They needed to get a quick shot due to only eight left on the shot clock, going the length of the court. Going long for Law, it looked like he would convert in transition but he missed the layup on his off arm short, giving Memphis a golden opportunity. It finished a tough night for the senior guard who went just 6-for-17 from the field with 13 points in his final game.

Trailing by one, the Tigers missed a three but got two offensive rebounds including one from Antonio Anderson, who was fouled with only 3.1 left. A 64 percent free throw shooter who was 1-of-4 on the night, Anderson calmly sank both to put his team up one.

After an A & M timeout, some controversy followed when an inbounds pass deflected off a Tiger and out of bounds. The clock didn’t start, forcing the officials to huddle and watch replays to determine how much time went off. Initially, it looked like only a couple of tenths would come off giving the Aggies 2.9 to work with to get off a shot from 70 feet out. But replays confirmed that the ball after hitting a Memphis player hit the floor and then went out, meaning that 1.1 was taken off giving the Aggies just two seconds to work with.

Dominique Kirk’s desperation heave from inside halfcourt fell short allowing the Tigers to escape with a hard fought one point victory. Jeremy Hunt paced John Calipari’s club with 19, making three of their five three’s. Playing on a hobbled ankle, star guard Chris Douglas-Roberts chipped in with 15. The Aggies were paced by center Antanas Kavaliauskas’ 17 and eight boards.

For the Tigers, they silenced many critics by advancing to the Elite 8 including this space which had them out in the second round. Now they’re just one win away from the Final Four.

In the two late games, UCLA leads Pitt by eight with under six minutes to play while top seeded Ohio State is down four to Tennessee with under 12 left after trailing by as many as 20.

While most of the attention has been on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament with four Regional Semifinals scheduled later tonight, there has been a great story taking place in the metropolitan area courtesy of the Marist Lady Red Foxes.

Coach Brian Giorgis’ women’s basketball team has made some noise of their own during the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball tournament by pulling off back-to-back upsets as a lowly No.13 seed- knocking off powers Ohio State and Middle Tennessee State to become the Cinderella of the tourney. In fact, their first round upset win over the Lady Buckeyes was the first NCAA victory for the university and the MAAC. They then followed it up by snapping Middle Tennessee State’s nation’s longest win streak at 27 games.
In the Sweet 16 for the first time, they’ll meet coaching legend Pat Summitt’s Lady Vols this Sunday in the Dayton Regional. It will certainly be a tall order for Giorgis’ squad. Whatever happens, it will be a great story worth checking out.

As outstanding NY Daily News hoops writer Kristie Ackert points out in her feature article entitled, “Marist’s upsetters dare to dream vs Red Foxes,” Giorgis departed the high school ranks to take over Marist from the bottom five years ago. During that span, he’s done a masterful job rebuilding the program.

We highly recommend this article for anyone because it’s a great story about where hard work and dedication can take you even if you’re not part one of the best programs in America. Best of luck to the Lady Red Foxes in their quest for a first ever berth in the Elite 8. They’re going to need it!

Let’s just entitle this a Random Thought because that’s what it really is:

A few nights ago, I tuned into MSG to watch the hyped up High School Boys Championship Game between Brooklyn rivals Lincoln and Boys & Girls. After a competitive first half, it wasn’t much of a contest as Rail Splitters’ star sophomore forward Lance Stephenson took over in the deciding third scoring 13 of his game high 29- taking home the MVP trophy en route to a 75-50 victory leading his school to a repeat at Madison Square Garden.

There was little doubt that Stephenson and his teammates should’ve been the story on this special night in winning their fourth PSAL title in five years. But unfortunately, the game was only part of the story. During the second half, fights broke out in the stands between spectators who obviously forgot how to act at a sporting event, marring it for many. As I watched, it was evident what was taking place. While play was going on late in the third quarter, spectators stood up and turned to watch this catastrophe which never should’ve taken place.

The extreme circumstances led to 21 arrests and plenty of coverage on local media outlets such as CBS, NBC and ABC as well as major networks across the country. Not exactly what the World’s Most Famous Arena had in mind. Really disturbing. Due to what took place, The Garden has banned future HS sporting events from taking place at night and will only permit the respective families of the participating players to attend its venue.

As a diehard hoops fan who has attended classic games in the past, it disappoints me a little that regular basketball supporters will get left out. But I also understand why and agree with the decision. They had to take quick action here and came to a sensible decision.
Sadly, this kind of stuff sometimes happens at games and not just at the high school level. As a diehard Ranger supporter who attends about 15-20 home games up in Section 411 most of the time, I’ve been witness to some share stupidity during this season. Once out on the concourse between periods of a game the Blueshirts were trailing to the archrival Islanders, I saw a few drunken Ranger fans get in the face of an Islander fan, who dared to wear a Rick DiPietro jersey. What was said was just so immature, it bordered on absurd. The fan who was there with his girlfriend did nothing to incite them. I took it upon myself to get in the middle and help keep the peace. Eventually, Garden security came and everything worked out.

During a more recent game between the two clubs in which the Rangers prevailed 2-1 in a shootout, I got to see something even worse. This time, an intoxicated Fishsticks fan got into it with a few Ranger fans. Apparently, from what my brother told me, this fan was yapping the whole night and making the experience for others deplorable. At first, as I was by the concession stand waiting for play to stop so I could get back to my seat, it looked like the two sides would go their separate ways. But then the Islander fan made a really disparaging remark which can’t be repeated. Predictably, at least three Ranger fans got up and jumped the guy. I believe at least two really nailed him against the wall. I didn’t watch much of it afterwards as it truly disgusted me.

MSG security was a little late in responding. Maybe if they had gotten there earlier when the heated debate ensued, nothing would’ve followed. In this instance, this unruly fan got what they deserved because they crossed the line. However, it doesn’t make the actions of a few right. I don’t condone what took place.

My thoughts on opposing fans cheering on their team is quite simple. As long as they act appropriately and cheer without mouthing off or obnoxiously getting up and pointing, I have never had a problem. What must be understood by the vast majority is that you’re not always going to have everyone in a building supporting the home team. I’ve always tried to talk to opposing fans and get their thoughts to show that there are a few good people out there who don’t take things personally if they’re wearing god forbid another jersey. It’s a sporting event. Not life and death.
I believe the crux of the problem is the alcohol that’s served at these games. Clearly, there needs to be a limit on how many someone can have. The problem with that is they could easily go to a different vendor and purchase more beers, which makes it nearly impossible to keep some from getting lit up.

Like most, I like to have a brew every now and then (who doesn’t love a Heineken or Guinness). But I have always been responsible and never crossed the line. And it’s really easy to figure out why. From my vantage point, I don’t want to spoil the night for others by making an ass of myself. Secondly, I don’t believe fighting should ever occur at these games. For the most part, everyone is there to have a good time and enjoy themselves. That’s why I attend games with my Dad, bro and his buddy. Nothing more. Nothing less.

That’s how it should be!

No pic is more fitting than this one on a triumphant return from a concussion for the popular Brendan Shanahan after being elected the game’s Third Star:

From the very opening shift in which club enforcer Colton Orr got some payback on Flyers’ tough guy Todd Fedoruk with a clean KO, the Rangers did what they had to tonight at an energized Garden- dominating the Flyers 5-0.

The big win lifted Tom Renney’s club to 83 points, putting a little distance between themselves and the three-headed monster (Toronto, Carolina and Montreal) which are all tied for eighth with 80. The Rangers also pulled within a point of sixth place Tampa Bay. The Lightning play host to the Devils tomorrow night in St. Petersburgh. Both the Rangers and Bolts have eight games remaining.

The last time the Rangers and Flyers met, Fedoruk ran roughshod on them with Orr out of the lineup. In Philly’s 5-3 win, Brendan Shanahan suffered a concussion after a scary collision with former Ranger Mike Knuble which kept the team’s leading goalscorer out 15 games. Ironically, Shanahan made his return in tonight’s rematch while Knuble, who recently returned from a broken orbital bone also skated for the Flyers. It was good to see both guys back.

The tone was set by Orr when he dropped’em with Fedoruk 21 seconds in, KO-ing the Flyer with a sharp right which connected. Afterwards, Fedoruk laid on his back flat on the ice out until he was taken out on a stretcher to St. Vincent’s Hospital for precautionary measures. The good news according to Rangers neurologist Claude Macaluso:
“Todd is doing fine. He is awake. He is having some problems with short-term memory, but other than that he is great. There are no neurological problems at all. We scanned him basically from the top of his head right down to the bottom of his neck. There are no fractures. (His) brain looks fine. He is going to be fine.”

Nobody ever wants to see a player get hurt like that. But Orr was justified for what Fedoruk did last time. Sometimes, this happens. It’s hockey.

When play was restored, Shanahan took his first shift to loud cheers and chants of “Shanny, Shanny, Shanny,” as fans paid tribute to the popular 38 year-old future Hall of Famer. Not long after, Petr Prucha got the scoring started with a nifty one-on-one move using a defenseman as a screen for his 19th at 3:40.

But after a strong start to the period, the Blueshirts struggled in the latter part giving up some good chances which could’ve tied the game if not for a sharp Henrik Lundqvist (7 first period saves). However, the Rangers regrouped to have a dominate second, getting two more.

Captain Jaromir Jagr got another fortunate bounce when his wrist shot deflected off Flyers defenseman Denis Gauthier and past Antero Niittymaki for a power play goal 1:26 into the stanza to make it 2-0. Briefly after Prucha had a second waived off due to video review for kicking it in, Sean Avery took a Thomas Pock drop pass and wristed one in for another PPG to put the Rangers up three.

In a dominant third in which they outshot the Flyers 9-2, the Rangers iced it when Jed Ortmeyer rebounded home a Matt Cullen wide shot for his second with 9:54 left. Only 2:28 later, the IRA Connection of Avery, Shanahan and rookie Ryan Callahan worked a perfect tic-tac-goal resulting in a tap-in for Avery’s second of the night and sixth as a Blueshirt.

All that was left was whether Lundqvist would notch his second shutout in three games. But the Ranger D and attention to detail wouldn’t allow the Flyers to even come close as King Henrik posted his fifth shutout of the season (eighth career). Lundqvist has allowed only one goal in the last three starts and it took a perfect play from the Pens’ tandem of Erik Christensen and Michel Ouellet to beat him the other night. Right now, the Swedish gold medallist is the hottest netminder in the league- helping the Rangers dramatically drop their goals against average. As a matter of fact, since January 13, no NHL team has a better GAA. With 17 more saves, Lundqvist reduced his GAA to 2.35 and increased his save percentage to .915.

Amazingly enough, he has almost played himself back into Vezina contention. In fact, if you want to talk about MVP’s, nobody has been more valuable than the Ranger goalie the past two months. He’s the reason his club is where it is. That said, there’s still some work to be done. The Rangers will now embark on a four-game road trip with stops at Boston, the Islanders, Canadiens and Flyers. If they continue to play the way they have by paying attention to detail and aggressively forechecking, things will workout nicely.

And if they get in, nobody should want any part of this team now. They’re coming together at the right time!

For more on the Rangers, Devils and Islanders, please feel free to check out the Battle of NY.

The Rangers faceoff in a huge game at the bottom of the hour against the Flyers at The Garden. Currently seventh with 81 points in the wild and wacky everchanging Eastern playoff race, they’re only a point ahead of Toronto, Carolina and Montreal and two ahead of the Islanders. So they know what’s at stake with eight more including six on the road left after tonight. Brendan Shanahan returns from a concussion ironically enough suffered 15 games ago against the same team last month after a scary collision with ex-Ranger Mike Knuble, who just returned the other night from a broken orbital bone. The fact both are back is amazing in itself and speaks to the hardminded nature of hockey players. Amazingly, Shanahan’s 28 goals still pace the Blueshirts. So to say he wasn’t missed would be inaccurate. And if he can pop a few and give the power play a boost, it should certainly aid the Rangers’ postseason aspirations.

The 38 year-old future Hall of Famer will join Sean Avery and impressive rookie Ryan Callahan to form the Irish Line. Or as my buddy Rob from Jersey termed it, “The IRA Line.” It should be interesting to see how Shanahan performs after almost being done for the season.

The Rangers are still without forward Martin Straka, who will miss his second straight with a bruised knee. The lines should look like this when they drop the puck:

Isbister-Nylander-Jagr

Callahan-Avery-Shanahan

Ortmeyer-Cullen-Prucha

Hollweg-Betts-Orr

One question will be whether Tom Renney utilizes the Betts line to match-up against the Flyers’ dangerous top scoring unit which features Simon Gagne and Knuble. Coming off a game in which they shutdown NHL leading scorer Sidney Crosby, it wouldn’t be surprising if the coach employs the strategy again with so much at stake.

Tune in to us at the top of the hour (8:05-9 PM) as we breakdown this game and other local happenings on the NY Hockey Report! To tune in live, go to here:

All In Broadcasting

Click on the NY Hockey Report live link listed at 8 PM to tune in.

-The Knicks fell to the Mavs 92-77 at The Garden. The end result was predictable. Especially going up against the league’s best team. But the bigger issue for them is that both Channing Frye and Stephon Marbury left the game with injuries. Frye didn’t return for the second half after being poked in the right eye. Marbury injured his left arm while fighting for a loose ball with five and a half minutes to go. The problem is if either injury is serious, Isiah Thomas would be running out of players because valuable sixth man David Lee still hasn’t returned from an ankle sprain, Quentin Richardson is out with a bad back and Jamal Crawford is out for the season. The Knicks can’t afford to lose anyone else if they want to qualify for the playoffs. Fortunately for them, they remained only half a game behind the Nets because the Nuggets defeated them 94-90 at CAA. While health remains an issue for the Orange and Blue, free throws also must be worked on. Tonight, they misfired on half of their 30 attempts. Maybe if they made a higher percentage, they could’ve been in the game at the end. Meanwhile, the more polished Mavs went 21-for-27.

-Knicks fans have to be encouraged with Renaldo Balkman’s contributions. The controversial 2006 20th overall pick has backed up Isiah’s selection by playing the grinding style which he brought to South Carolina. Fresh off a double double, Balkman contributed seven points and 10 boards including four offensive in 30 minutes. The undersized power forward always brings a lot of energy and plays solid D. So far, he’s made the Coach/GM look smart and won plenty of supporters.
-It didn’t take long for Cam Janssen to be forced to drop the gloves by a Leaf as retribution for his late hit on Tomas Kaberle which concussed the top defenseman. Goon extraordinaire Wade Belak obliged the Devils’ enforcer and the two engaged in an entertaining scrap which lasted about 1:36. Both got their share of blows in with Belak controlling the early rounds and Janssen coming on at the end. So we’ll just call it a draw.

-As for the game itself, the Leafs would exact the ultimate revenge on the scoreboard, prevailing 2-1 thanks to goals by Kyle Wellwood and Nik Antropov. The Devs’ lone goal came from rookie Travis Zajac, who responded to Antropov’s third period tally to cut it to one. Though the Devils would pressure late, they couldn’t beat Andrew Raycroft again. The Toronto netminder finished with 24 saves to lift his team to a huge win, giving them 80 points and putting them into an eighth place tie with Carolina and Montreal (1-0 shutout winners over Boston).

-Meanwhile in Tampa, Rick DiPietro returned to net for the slumping Islanders. And though his team rallied from two down to score three straight, they ultimately fell for the eighth time in a row to their nemesis the Lightning, 4-3 in overtime. Richard Zednik, Richard Park and Miroslav Satan got three unanswered to give the Isles a one-goal lead headed to the third. But they couldn’t hold it as ex-Ranger Jason Ward put home a rebound to knot it. It would go to OT but it didn’t take long for Lightning to strike as Filip Kuba broke free from Satan and redirected home Eric Perrin’s centering feed just 55 seconds in to send the Fishsticks to their fourth consecutive defeat. And though they got a point which gives them 79, it wasn’t enough. The Lightning meanwhile got a much needed win to pull three points up for sixth on the Rangers.

-Very disappointed to read that Kim Clijsters will skip the French Open and most likely miss her final U.S. Open due to her wedding to ex-Nova star Brian Lynch. If this was how the former ‘05 Open champ was going to end her career, why even have a final year on the WTA Tour? The Belgian is still a top five player and one of the best on the tour. She’s always a threat at slams. It’s just sad that such a talented player who brings so much good to the court is going out this way.

All season long, the Rangers have left points on the board due to failing to hold leads. Tonight, they paid back the fiesty Penguins by getting a late Jaromir Jagr goal to pull out a much needed 2-1 Garden win.

There was no doubting the circumstances as the Blueshirts entered play clinging onto the final spot by just a point over the idle Islanders, Leafs and Canadiens. They also entered just a point behind seventh Carolina and three fewer than sixth Tampa Bay. That’s how tight this wild and wacky Eastern Conference playoff race has become. On any night, one slip up can be costly. And down the stretch with three weeks left in the regular season, we’re going to find out who has what it takes to make the cut.

Tonight, the Rangers were clearly the better team against what had to be a tired Pens’ team which played the night before, posting a 4-3 shootout win at Mellon Arena over Ottawa. But against a team they had recently blown two-goal leads to in falling via OT and shootout, the Blueshirts had to come away with the vital two points.

Peppering backup goalie Jocelyn Thibault (40 saves), it started to look a lot like Rick DiPietro last month when they fired from every angle forcing the Isles’ netminder to make a franchise record 56 saves before they finally prevailed in a 2-1 shootout in front of a raucous atmosphere. After two periods though, they couldn’t beat Thibault, who was just as razor sharp as he was in blanking the Devils last week. They finally would breakthrough thanks to a faceoff win by Blair Betts. He redirected home a Daniel Girardi point shot for his career best ninth. Last year, the centerman got eight in 66 games in his first full season on Broadway. The scrappy 27 year-old from Alberta would play a pivotal role in the win along with linemates Ryan Hollweg (assist for third point of season on Betts’ tally) and enforcer Colton Orr (8:31, +1 rating). The gritty trio would be matched against the Sidney Crosby line and limit their chances. No small feat there.

In control, the Rangers couldn’t get another one by Thibault to give them some distance. After failing a couple of times on the power play, they would see it get tied when Michel Ouellet beat Thomas Pock to the goalmouth and deflected home Erik Christensen’s centering feed from the left wall. Ouellet’s 16th from Christensen and Evgeni Malkin came with only 5:42 remaining.

The Pens coming back on anyone has been a recurring theme since January when the club has risen in the standings from playoff uncertainty to Atlantic Division challenger, just two points behind New Jersey. They have repeatedly scored late goals before winning games in overtime or a shootout. But the Rangers had other ideas in this one.

When Michael Nylander beat Crosby on a neutral zone draw, it gave the Blueshirts puck possession, allowing Marek Malik to get the puck to Jagr on the right wing. Gaining the zone, No.68 made his usual strong move and then went behind the net. But instead of coming around, this time he centered the puck for Nylander at the goalmouth. But it never reached him, instead taking a lucky bounce off Pittsburgh defenseman Rob Scuderi before just crossing the goal line despite Thibault’s last ditch attempt to sweep it out. A video review confirmed that Jagr had scored his 25th, putting his club ahead with just 33.4 seconds left, energizing the building. It was the 16th straight season Jagr has scored at least 25 goals. His reaction:

“I am not 24 chasing any records anymore,” he explained to the AP after breaking an eight-game goal drought. “My goal is to make the playoffs. Right now it doesn’t matter as long as we win.”

Pretty good stuff there. Nobody would argue. It was just nice to see Jagr catch a break because lately he seems to have developed stone hands syndrome from Brad Isbister. Someone should tell the coach that it’s dangerous to play those two on the same line.

Up one, as they did for most of the night, the Rangers played solid in their end not allowing the Pens to even get a shot on net during a final chaotic sequence. And though Malik went to the box for a dubious holding the stick call (made by the refs or Crosby) which put 2.2 back on the clock, Betts won one final draw to clinch the big victory which gave the Rangers some space. They’re now up to 81 points and in seventh, one behind sixth place Tampa, who hosts the Fishsticks in what amounts to a huge game tonight. Who do you root for here? Is there even a doubt?

The Blueshirts are now a point ahead of the eighth Canes and three up on the Isles, Leafs and Habs. The Leafs will host the Devils in another pivotal game. Be on the look out for payback on Cam Janssen for his late high hit on Tomas Kaberle which produced a concussion leading to a three-game suspension for the Devils fourth liner. But Toronto does need the game. So if it’s close, don’t expect anything to happen from Darcy Tucker, pest Wade Belak and Co. If it’s decided either way, then expect something to develop.

For the Rangers, they next host the improved Flyers Wednesday night before headed to Boston Saturday and then visiting Long Island Sunday. It’s one game at a time. They have to be happy with where they are but at the same time remember that the task is a long way from being over. With two left at the Isles, two against the Habs and one vs the Leafs, those will go a long way to deciding if they qualify for a second consecutive postseason. We’ll see what happens.

For more on the Blueshirts, please don’t hesitate to check out our thoughts on the Battle of NY. It’s a quality site about the three locals featuring myself, Steve Lepore and Rob. Check us out!

So what else is happening aside from the Big Dance this weekend? Let’s find out:

1.Nice bounceback win for the Knicks today over the Raptors. And the best part: Rookie Renaldo Balkman replaced an ineffective Eddy Curry and scored 15 points and had 12 boards, making all seven shots in sparking the Knicks to a huge third quarter en route to a blowout victory which tied them for eighth with the Nets. The biggest test comes Tuesday versus the league best Mavs.

2.Both Mike Pelfrey and Jeff Karstens deserve to make the Mets and Yankees respective rotations.

3.After a disappointing straight set semifinal loss to Rafael Nadal at The Pacific Open, Andy Roddick still has some work to do if he wants to close the gap with the world’s top two players.

4.Nobody ever talks much about Daniela Hantuchova much on the WTA circuit. But after winning her first title in five years at the same tournament yesterday, it’s time for a reminder:

5.If you haven’t seen Ludacris’ new video Runaway Love with Mary J. Blidge, we recommend you check this hot track out. Reminds us an awful lot of 2Pac’s Brenda’s Got A Baby.

6.Rangers snapped out of their offensive slump with a seven spot on the Bruins last night. And rookie Ryan Callahan had 2 goals, a scrap and Matt Cullen scored twice. Sean Avery also had four points and was his usual ornery self on St. Patty’s Day, making it a good day for the Ranger Irish. They’re one point ahead of the Isles, Leafs and Habs for the final playoff spot.

7.Speaking of the Isles, they’re skidding at the wrong time. If they miss the postseason, they can blame Rick DiPietro for his silly overaggressiveness against the Habs this past week which led to a neck injury, forcing the club to play Mike Dunham. And he hasn’t gotten it done. But it wouldn’t be fair to put it all on him. The Isles’ D has been dreadful. Without the underrated Radek Martinek, they’re not the same. If they fail to make it, that will be the No.1 reason.

8.So after a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of the Hurricanes, the Devils have now dropped a season high five straight at home. Meanwhile, they haven’t lost in regulation on the road in quite a while. Maybe they should pretend their home games are on the road. The Devs will make the playoffs and probably hang on for their division. But if they want to go anywhere this Spring, they’ll need Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta and John Madden healthy. It also wouldn’t hurt to rest Martin Brodeur a couple of games down the stretch. We realize he’s after Bernie Parent’s 1973-74 regular season mark of 47 wins, trailing by just five with 10 games left. But what’s more important? Getting that record or being fresh for the playoffs to make another Cup run? Besides, even if Brodeur gets it, you’d have to put an asterisk next to it due to two factors:

A.The regular season is 10 games longer.

B.The skills competition has been responsible for at least five victories.

9.We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that one of the NBA’s worst teams, the Boston Celtics went into San Antonio and won on St. Patrick’s Day. Think the leprechaun was looking down on them?

10.Can’t A-Rod just shutup already and play ball? And to think there’s still a couple of weeks before Opening Day starts.