(*a
summary of select stories)
By Ed Kilgore
Ch2 Sports Director
Despite the fact the Bills appeared to cover the bases that needed covering, to steal a baseball phrase, it’s still surprising to me how many Bills fans have complaints about the 2008 NFL draft. Let’s face it, some of you are paying entirely too much attention to Mel Kiper Jr., although I’ll be the first to admit I want to know what he thinks about each player drafted by the Bills.
By Shawn Krest
There was no question where the Buffalo Bills would focus in the 2008 NFL draft. The team had glaring needs in the passing game on both sides of the ball. A year removed from the Nate Clements era, the Bills needed to add depth at cornerback, and with defenses choking off the production of Lee Evans, Buffalo was looking to add a big receiver to line up on the other side of the field.
By George Kuhn
As Sabres fans wail in the night and gnash their teeth over the playoff successes of recent Sabres alumni, they struggle to accept the realities of a salary cap world and, whether they believe it or not, their aging former team heroes. From an emotional standpoint, it may be just as traumatizing for some of them to watch speedster Maxim Afinogenov skate out of town, because fan enthusiasm for Afinogenov has exceeded his on-ice value. With his contract expiring in 2009, and his recent contributions to the team being minimal, there is no incentive for the Sabres to hold on to him any longer. His salary cap hit of $3.5 million could be used to help retool the team, which has experienced the downward swing that is inevitable for sports teams forced to trim payroll in the salary cap era.
But prospect Nathan Gerbe, currently starring at Boston College, appears to be the heir apparent to Max’s role as the Sabres speed merchant.
By Charles Roberts
This time of the year is always fun. Everyone hails comparisons between their team’s draftees and the best player ever at the respective position. Every team is undefeated. All the bad memories from the prior season seem to fade, and there is no talk of missing the playoffs once more. Not advancing into the coming season’s postseason is simply unthinkable. Good ol’ football in April.
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By Shawn Krest
By all accounts, the Rochester Red Wings opened the 2008 season with one of the most talent-packed rosters in recent memory. Add to that a handful of starts from Twins standouts Francisco Liriano and Kevin Slowey, and it would appear to be an embarrassment of riches for Rochester.
By Charles Roberts
Andy Gonzalez has been having trouble sleeping lately. Forget about the fact that he is over 1,200 miles from home. Forget about the fact that he made 67 starts for the Chicago White Sox last season and now plays in Triple-A Buffalo. It’s not even anxiety about getting back to the big leagues. These are a few variables that came into play that the 26-year-old really can’t control, nor lose sleep over, because it’s just the nature of his business.
So what is it that keeps Gonzalez tossing and turning at night?
“Two weeks ago I had a daughter, so I’m just hoping to see her, hoping she gets here soon,” Gonzalez said. “I’m desperate to see her and excited for them to get here (from Palm Bay, Fl).”
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By Mike Fox
Our last issue provided some thoughts regarding choosing starting fantasy pitchers. This month, we cover the volatile world of relief pitching. If you’ve been looking for a few names to tuck away at the back end of your roster in the hope of stealing some future saves, we offer some suggestions, as well as offer recognition to some of the early surprises at the position.
By Mark Bowers
The Rochester Raiders continued their domination of the CIFL with a 59-16 pounding of the New Jersey Revolution this past Saturday night. With the win the Raiders swept the season series from New Jersey outscoring them 108-19. For perspective, Western New York fans should remember that the NFL’s New England Patriots took it to our own Buffalo Bills by a combined 94-17 this past fall. It definitely feels good to be on the opposite end of the thumping this time. The victory sets up a showdown with the CIFL’s only other undefeated team, the New England Surge, this Saturday night at the Blue Cross Arena.
By Gregory Kowalczyk
Like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz once said; “There’s no place like home.” The same goes for the Buffalo Bandits clinching home-field throughout the National Lacrosse League Playoffs which begin this month. With veteran leaders like Tavares and Steenhuis and up-and-coming players like Bomberry, Powless and Vyse, the Bandits won’t be an easy out for their NLL opponents.
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By Brian J. Mazurek
Back in 2000, harness racing in Western New York and in New York State was basically on life-support. In fact, Batavia Downs flat-lined and shuttered its doors in 2004.
Casinos, Off-Track Betting and the lottery led to dwindling crowds and small handles, nearly leading to the demise of harness racing.
But with the introduction of the first video lottery terminal bill in 2001, plus two revisions since then, it has allowed race tracks to add slot machines to their facilities. Now the local tracks are no longer close to flat-lining. In fact, harness racing is beginning to rebound and the future looks healthy for a long time.
By Brian J. Mazurek
Looking for a fun, enjoyable afternoon or evening of entertainment with good food, drink and heart-pounding excitement? Give one of the Western New York or Southern Ontario race tracks a try.
With the great weather upon us and the horses running it’s a wonderful time to visit our local tracks, but don’t be intimidated if you’ve never been to the track before. Go with an open mind and this game plan and things should go very smoothly.
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By Sam Pendolino
You’re new to the races, you buy a program, but you don’t have a clue on how to handicap a race, or the types of wagers you can make. Don’t worry, here are some easy steps that should allow you to cash a few tickets and have an enjoyable night at the races.
By Brian J. Mazurek
The Kentucky Derby. The Pimlico Stakes. The Belmont Stakes.
These are the top three thoroughbred races in America each year. While these “Triple Crown” races always get most of the publicity, there’s another stakes race for three-year-olds that is rated the fourth biggest race in North America.
Ironically, this race is only about four hours away and is the oldest contested race in the United States.
It’s name? The Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Track in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
By Phil Taylor
Crime, cars and cold. That troika is what most people think of when they think of Detroit. When the boys of summer are gone and the teams from other cities are competing for the Super Bowl, the denizens of D-Town have two things to keep them warm through the long, northern winter: cheering for the Pistons and the Red Wings. The two Detroit pro sports franchises that compete during the coldest months are annually not only the hottest things in town, but also in their respective leagues.
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By Jim Krencik
The Rochester Rattlers lacrosse team has been nomadic in its seven-year history, with home moving between a baseball stadium (Rochester’s Frontier Field), a high school (Irondequoit’s Bishop Kearney Field) and a soccer stadium (Rochester’s PAETEC Park). So it’s not a surprise that this season’s biggest question is not how or who — as in “how will the Rattlers do in the Major League Lacrosse?” or “who Rochester will trade for?” — but where, as in “where will they play?”
By Jim Krencik
With a new owner, a new coach and a newfound aerial attack, the Rochester Rhinos head into the 2008 USL season looking to make the best of their second chance. The Rhinos are off on the right foot after a 7-0 preseason, punctuated by a 4-1 win over the St. Catherines. If Rochester can come back from their Pacific Northwest trip with a few wins, then the Rhinos will have more than enough momentum down the stretch. Rochester’s already built up a full head of steam in the pre-season matches, outscoring their opponents by a 17-4 margin.
By Mark Bowers
For the first time in their history the Rochester Knighhawks will not be playing postseason lacrosse. Despite finishing the season on a hot streak, the Knighthawks lost their final game of the season to New York in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, April 26. Rochester struggled with its consistency all season, but managed to pin together a series of three straight wins before being officially eliminated by New York. The loss dropped the defending champion Knighthawks to 0-5 in games decided by one goal this season. Hopefully by this time next year Rochester can look forward to getting back on top in the NLL season.
By Chris Colleluori
Even though the Greywolves are Rochester’s newest team, they’re really not all that new. The Greywolves played in Rochester in the 1980s, and when Craig Marvin, a former Can-Am player for Onondaga and Allegheny got sick of driving two and a half hours to games and practices, decided to resurrect the team, he sought the help of those around him. That’s how he teamed up with Jemison.
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By Jim Krencik
The Rochester Rhinos Women’s Team had a bit part in the W-League Championship in 2007, but with improved performances against the team’s Canadian rivals the Final Four is not out of Rochester’s reach.
Last season, the Rhinos hosted the W-League’s Final Four, which earned Rochester a spot in the league’s championship semi-finals despite a fourth-place finish in the North Division. This season that spot will have to be earned, but the path to a return-trip is clear.
By Peter Farrell and Andrew Kulyk
For this month’s sports travel edition, Andrew Kulyk and Peter Farrell report in from Clearwater, Fla., the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Bright House Field opened in 2004 and has taken its place as one of the finest MLB facilities in the Grapefruit League. Our “Stadium Guys” provide the details.
By Adam McGill
The tennis season may be done for Niagara University and the University at Buffalo but the spring was filled with some impressive wins and encouraging portents of what is to come in the future.
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By Matt Chandler
It was a long and at times frustrating season for the Hilbert College softball program. Going into the season, Hawks head coach Kerry Levett knew it was going to be a rebuilding year for the squad that she took over in 2007.
But after a rough start, the Hawks seemed to round the corner down the stretch, giving Levett reason to feel optimistic about next season.
By Ryan Knapp
Buffalo, did you know that there’s a semi-pro soccer team in the area? What if I told you that team is the defending NPSL Eastern Conference Champions, finished 10-4-1, and were the runner-up in the NPSL playoffs? Any guesses?
The team we’re talking about is Queen City FC, Buffalo’s own semi-pro soccer club. Queen City FC was founded in 2006 by several soccer enthusiasts who had a simple plan: bring high quality soccer to the Buffalo and the Western New York area.
Tennis: Men’s program shines at Brighton
Brighton men’s tennis coach Ralph Damerell gives his recipe for success
By Brian Michalek
At Brighton High School, men’s tennis coach, Ralph Damerell, is a guy who loves the game and loves to teach. He has taken his love for the game, and used it to teach the kids on the Brighton men’s tennis team. His style of play and dedication to providing a good environment for the students has brought the program the high recognition it has received today. His method of teaching is not only meant to make his kids stars on the court, but also stars in life.
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By Stephen Marth
After a heart-stopping victory over the No. 1 seed Western Michigan Broncos, the sixth-seeded Buffalo Bulls Women’s Tennis Team earned their first Mid-American Conference championship. The victory sends the team to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history, where they will face the UCLA Bruins. The championship makes the women’s tennis team the first Buffalo team to win a MAC title since the school joined the conference in 1999.
This was the third consecutive year that the Bulls and Broncos collided in the MAC Championship game. While the Broncos were victorious in the previous two bouts, the Bulls were the team celebrating in the end this year.
By Mike Fox
Late spring is a time when sports fans can devote their full attention to the grand old game of baseball. This month, we offer a potpourri of accomplishments established by big leaguers over the years.
By Rich Davenport
May marks the opener for walleye, among other species and panfish action starts really heating up. Find out more, including upcoming youth events in Doctari’s Fishing Forum.
By Dave Sully
To many Western New York racing fans the names Druar and Jankowiak will be forever etched in their memories. Tony Jankowiak and his brother-in-law Tom Druar were mainstays on the northeast asphalt modified racing scene until their untimely deaths in racing accidents, Tom in June of 1989 while racing in Lancaster and Tony in April of 1990 while racing in Stafford, Conn.
Now the Jankowiak name is back in the headlines as Tony’s son, Andy, has picked up the baton and is carving out a racing career of his own. The 20-year-old is the reigning street stock champion at Lancaster and is coming off a banner year in 2007 that saw him win six races en route to the title at the newly minted Dunn Tire Raceway Park.
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By Rick Zurak
Golf Editor
Whether you are a history buff or a golfer that enjoys a good challenge on rolling hills and sweet, smooth greens, Beechwood Golf and Country Club has plenty to offer. As the advertisement for the golf course reads: “Tradition, character and challenge awaits you at this demanding Par 72 layout featuring contoured fairways, slick undulating greens, and strategic water hazards. All of which combine to make each hole a unique experience.”
By Ronald S. Montesano
There’s something about a stay in the country that renews and refreshes. While the good folks of Holley, New York, don’t consider a drive to Hickory Ridge golf club “in the country,” many are the inhabitants of Rochester, Batavia and Buffalo that do. With an 18-hole golf course, a satisfying dining and banquet establishment, and friendly employees who cannot wait to help, Hickory Ridge has long been received as a bucolic option for enjoyable golf. In 2008, the golf experience gets even better.
By Chris Nentarz
Golf and pain are two words that are almost synonymous with each other, and I am not speaking of the mental anguish we experience after missing an easy putt. Over 50 percent of golfers on the tour are injured at any given time, and I must admit that I see a very large number of golfers in my clinic for rehabilitation of some kind. Knee pain is one of the more popular complaints of professional and amateur golfers alike. In fact, Tiger Woods recently underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee.
Many golf injuries, including Low back dysfunctions, golfers elbow and knee pathologies occur because of faulty biomechanics and abnormal compensation patterns. The painful body part is usually not at fault. For example, common causes for low back pain during golf are tightness in the hips musculature, weakness in the glutes and core, and restrictions in shoulder mobility. Knee pathologies can precipitate from foot/ankle tightness, hip restrictions and deficits in balance.
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