What is on TV?


So when I was a kid it seemed liked there was a show to watch every night. Now I take a look around and see very few things that interest me. I know many of my friends watch and tivo a lot of different shows, but I just can’t get into it. I can only think of a few shows I watch regularly. Of the new shows this year have to say Friday Nights Lights has caught my interest. I have tried so hard to get into Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Being a huge fan of the West Wing I figured this show would be right up my ally. But it has turned into a joke. I for one is not a religious person but the religion bashing has gone way over the edge and is nauseating. I have also started to watch 24. Have heard from my friends for the past few years how good it is, so thought I would give it a shot this year. I would say so far so good, I will continue to watch it. Also watch the Office, just a great show very clever, makes me laugh every time. Will watch the Simpson’s on Sunday nights, but if I miss don’t get upset knowing I will see the repeats soon. There are a few other shows that are on right now but will watch when they come back. Rescue Me, is really good and will watch that when FX brings it back. It is a great mix of comedy and drama. As for “reality” TV the only show that has caught my interest is the Deadliest Catch on Discovery, not sure when it is coming back on, but will watch it. Those guys are real, crab fishing in Alaska during the winter, will take that any day over American Idol, also know as the Gong Show for the 21st century. So it is now Tuesday night, what is on TV?

UNH week in review and preview for Maine

So UNH had only 1 game last weekend. Their first games against Providence. On paper looked like it should have been an easy game. But have to admit Providence really impressed me. They are a fast team with a very aggressive checking style. I really enjoyed watching them play , plus made the game a little nervous. UNH did pull out the 2-1 victory with goals from McFlicker and Fortney. Providence went up 1-0 in the first. Would have to say game was pretty even for the first period and half. But once UNH could break there aggressive fore checking took control of the game. Simms played out his behind to keep the game 2-1. Providence got there shots on net to, but as the way for the last couple of month Regan was the man. Plus the D forced a lot of there shot to the outside and moved the screen pretty well from in front of Regan. Overall give the game a B- for UNH, D was good, but offense was off, and hitting the hot goalie doesn't help. Did love Fortney's tip in goal, see what happens when you go the net.
So what to look for this weekend. Have 2 games with Maine. As always a big rival weekend. One game in Manchester and 1 at the Whitt. Maine comes in limping losing 4 out of the last 6, and fallen into 6th in Hockey East. On paper looks like a mis-match. But as any UNH fans that is far from true. Maine is a desperate team they are fighting for home ice in the first round of Hockey East. These are 4 big points up for grab for Maine. Plus I am sure Maine still remembers what UNH did to them up in Maine in November, if that doesn't get them up for the game then nothing will. I look for Maine to come out flying, if UNH can hold them in the first period Friday and maybe grab a lead they can demoralize Maine. If Maine comes out and get an early lead Maine will gain some confidence. Hopefully Radja will be back and McFlicker will be closer to 100%. This will put them back with 2 solid scoring lines, and putting Cicco back on the third line will give more depth. Of course another X factor can be Ben Bishop, he has been up and down this year, UNH did drive him from the game earlier in the season. But when he is on he is very on. Another reason to come out hard and get that first goal to put that doubt in his mind.
Would love to say I see 2 big wins from UNH, hoping for it, but have to go on the safe mode and say probably a split. I say a close game Friday night, and a UNH win Saturday night. If UNH can get a big win Friday night I see a sweep of the weekend. If Maine pulls the victory out Friday night, I see UNH coming out balls to the wall Saturday, and with the character of this team I do not see them losing 2 games in front of there home crowd.

GO CATS!!!

UNH Hockey, how did we get here, and were are we going?

Well we come into my favorite part of the year, the home stretch in college hockey. The real season starts in Feb, then to March and the tourney. So figure start a weekly look at UNH, what happened and what I see happening.
As anyone who knows anything about college hockey knows UNH as of today is the #1 team in the country, well better then anyone could have imagined at the beginning of the year. But we also know there is a lot of hockey to play. The important thing right now is they are #1 in Hockey East, up by 3 points over BU with 3 games in hand. So how did we get to were we are now?
Well the key has been balance. Have to say this might be one of the more balanced teams in a long time. All 4 lines play there role well.
The top line of Hemmingway-Radja- McFlicker has been well what a top line should be, match well against other teams tops line and put the puck in the net, also play some good D. With Radja out since Dec 30, Josh Cicio has stepped in very well. Has shown why he is the captain. Also Peter Leblanc stepped in well when McFlicker was out last weekend. Hemmingway started off slow, but has turned it on.
The second line of Fornatro-Smith-Pollastrone has been one of the best lines in the country this year, most people look at there points and say wow, I look at there +/- and say wow. Of course not being the #1 line has helped them in match up against other teams #2 line. But the way they have been skating thing they could match any #1 line out there.
The third line of Cicco-Fortney-Butler has been a great energy line go out there and play hard and do all the little things. Don't put up big numbers, but can sap the energy out of another teams #3 line in a period or so. With Cicco on the first line Collins has stepped right in and played well with the other guys
The forth line, Vinz-Lablanc-Rossman-Thompson have been a good checking line. Been mixing the 4 guys in and out and haven't missed a beat. Plus The Vinz has 3 goals this year, including a shortie, got to love that.
The D has been so much better then I thought they would be this year. Going into this year thought that was there weakness, now have a GAA below 2, amazing! Really didn't add anyone, except Kapstad getting more time this year, been really impressed by him this year, also minus Brian Yandle helps. Good to see Murray not taking as many stupis penalties as he was earlier in the year. Like to see more consistence out of Switzer. Put this last game against Providence showed that if needed to the D can win a game for us.
Goaltending, what can you say about Regan, except WOW!! Didn't start off great, but since mid November probably the best goalie in the country. Foster has shown he can do it when he gets the chance, just stuck behind the hottest goalies in the country right now.
Special teams have quietly gotten better, PP wasn't that hot earlier, but slowly moving up the national rankings. The Penalty killing got plenty of practice early in the season, but since beginning of Jan. have stayed out of the box, hopefully that trend keeps.
So what can we expect the rest of the season? Well if this team plays like they can, I see it finishing the regular season of well, with some tough series coming up against Maine, BC, and BU, and Providence can give them a tough challenge. The last couple of games the offense has slowed a little. Hopefully Radja will be back this weekend to give even more depth. Have to admit still worry about the D, but hopefully keep proving me wrong. As I see will finish #1 or 2 in Hockey East, making to the Garden for the Hockey East Semi's, and hopefully to the Finals, then the NCAA's with playing in Manchester never know what can happen

What Grinds Q's Gear!!
- Bus stops, what is up with bus stops being 50 feet away from each other? Really I drive to work everyday and going down the road there is a bus stop 50 feet from the other, with a sidewalk between the house, can't the kid walk down to the other stop? It takes longer for the bus to stop and go then for the lazy little kid to walk, and we wonder why America is getting fatter!!

- Speaking of bus stops, what is up with the kids who sits at the end of there driveway with there parents in there SUV waiting for the bus? The kid can't walk the 30 feet and wait 5 minutes in the cold? Talk about wussifing of America. I guess we know who wont be the next arctic explore, the little SUV sitting girly boy on Ocean road. Hey dad no need to wonder why your little boy is getting the crap kicked out him in high school by the girls JV field hockey team

-75 cents for air? I can understand 50 cents for the machine, the price it was 10 years ago, but now 75 cents? Did I miss somewhere were AIR started to cost more?

-The NHL. I will admit I love hockey and watch the NHL. But could it be runed by any worst. Hey lets have an all start game to showcase the great young talent we have, which is great, but lets have it on a Wed night on a channel about half the country has, and against American Idol. Hey here is an idea to the genius in charge of the NHL, why not have it on the weekend before the Super Bowl. Sunday afternoon would work, and you have a TV deal with NBC, why not put it there. I will admit I am not the smartest man, but I think a dog licking themselves could figure that out

- Speaking of American Idol, well American Idol itself. If I have to hear one more person say at work did you see American Idol, I will have to gut them with a dull rusty butter knife! Plus don't get so angry over what Simon says, if you don't know his whole deal by now, then you are just plain stupid and deserve to have a lap dance by Bea Arthur.

-The Supreme Court Justices at the State of the Union. Why are they there? Talk about a waste of space. They have to be 9 of the most emotionless people ever. They entire Capital building could be on fire and they would just sit there and do nothing. I have seem more emotion from a cat farting.

- Anyone who tells me one professional sports team beating another professional team the greatest upset or greatest moment in sports, I have one thing to say to you the 1980 Olympic hockey team period. To even trying to argue that shows you know about as much about sports as Rosie O'Donnell know about weight watchers