Fantastic Site: Sports Trekker

http://sportstrekker.com/

If you haven't already done so, check out Sportstrekker.com. A fantastic site currently in development will turn into the one stop look for Sports Travelers. Fantastic articles about events all over the world, commentary on cities/events/stadiums and user generated advice what to do when traveling to multiple different types of sporting events. When you get a chance, check it out!

Interesting Article: Comparing the Two Outdoor Hockey Games

http://www.bcinterruption.com/2010/2/16/1309238/frozen-fenway-vs-camp-randall

Great article comparing the two.  In different cities, in two different types of venues, with different rivalries on the line, this article takes a look at it all.  Even with all the things better about Camp Randall Stadium (food, better seats, better game experience) I would not change my experience at the Frozen Fenway, and neither would this writer, giving it the 4-3 edge.  After reading this, heres my likes and dislikes about my experience.

What I liked about Fenway Park:

1) Pre-game atmosphere.  It was exciting.  I went to the Cask n' Flagon and then and had a blast.  Fans from both teams were all over the place getting excited for the game and having a hockey game on before helped get the hockey feeling going

2) The nostalgia.  I've been to Fenway Park many times, but this was an awesome experience.  It snowed for most of the 1st period giving it the true outdoor feel.

3) The rivalry.  Glad it was BC-BU and nothing else.  I'm also glad it wasnt the Beanpot which many were hoping for as the viewing experience wasn't great and that game is too big for fans not to be able to see.  It also could have prevented BC and BU from playing in the finals.

What I wish Fenway Park Had:

1) A tradition like Camp Randall.  The jump around video scene from the hockey game below is one of the great traditions in College Football and its great that it spread to College Hockey



2) Change in Food and Drink.  I know that its Fenway Park, so Fenway Franks should be everywhere, but there has to be some sort of hockey (cold weather) food they could have served.  Hot chocolate wasn't enough and some sort of warm meal may have done the trick to keep warm.

3) Better Seats/ Big Screens.  Nothing Fenway park could do about this, but they could have put a screen near the ice so fans in center field knew what was going on.  The experience there was more about the party, which was a blast, but would have liked to see more.

Overall, I never would give my experience up for any other game, but its cool to see the differences.

Hidden Gem: Daytona 500

Because it's the Mother of All Races for NASCAR Daddies.  This is pure party, party, party.  The winner is considered the Super Bowl Champion and it leads to the entire season.

Video You May Not Have Seen

Hidden Gem: Caribbean World Series

 February is a tough sports month for a fan like me.  No baseball, no football, cold weather.  Well that can change.  If you want to see some of the best, most passionate baseball, head down South to the Caribbean  World Series, a baseball tournament held this year in Estadio Nueva Esparta in Porlamar, Margarita Island, Venezuela in February.

The Caribbean World Series is affiliates with the Winter League programs of the MLB featuring many players from the Major Leagues as well as the Dominican Winter League, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League and Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.  The winner is decided in a round robin tournament, where each team plays the others twice in a Round Robin Style.

Fans at the Caribbean World Series are some of the most wild fans in all of sports.  Rabid fans from Mexico, the Caribbean and even some lucky ones from the USA travel down to the chosen location (this year it is in Venezuela)  to enjoy the atmosphere.  Fans jeer back and forth the entire game, trying to will their team to victory.  Don't worry, this jeering is mostly friendly.  In between innings, fans will be found dancing together in the stands and even on the dugouts and will be seen hanging together after the game.  The Caribbean World Series, in fact, is considered one of the most fan friendly atmospheres in sports.  Little kids constantly run on the field for autographs, where they are met with a smile and a hug.

Trivia Question

Trivia Question of the day: can you name two sports in which the participants move backwards most of the time in attempting to win? There are 3

Hidden Gem: Beanpot Classic

Tonight is the start of a 2 day tournament (first two Monday's in February) for the biggest college hockey crown in Boston.  BC, BU, Harvard and Northeastern compete for the coveted Beanpot trophy and a chance at bragging rights for a year.

For those outside of Boston, this may seem like another 4 team tournament.  However, to those in Boston, this means as much as a National Championship.  4 teams, many of the kids had played against eachother growing up, fighting for a chance at being called Boston's best for an entire year.  In the words of ESPN "You'll never see athletes competing this hard for a beanpot anywhere else."

This game brings all schools together, the whole city of Boston, for two nights.  Fans from BC, BU Harvard and Northeastern fill up the entire stadium in hopes that their team can win the crown and claim the title.  The atmosphere is wild, the games are well played and the bars are always packed.  Here's Sports Bound's Guide to the Beanpot Classic.

There are two games today.  BC takes on Harvard at 5:00 in the opening match, and the nightcap holds reining champion BU against last years runner-up, Northeastern.  If you are a BC or a Harvard fan, I'd head over to the Garden area around 3:30 to experience the pregame festivities.  However, if your a BU or a Norhteastern fan.  No need to rush.  Arrive at 5 and watch the first game from the loads of bars and restaurants around, enjoy the atmosphere before you go cheer on your team.  Before the game, bar hop at some of the most popular bars in Boston, called “Bars on steroids.”  Start off at Boston Beer Works, a two story facility that is the oldest and largest brewery and restaurant in the Boston Area.  Shoot some pool, play some darts and try one of 50 different Beers, Ales and Lagers.  If that is too small for you, head over to The Greatest Bar.  Part sports bar part night club the Greatest Bar features a lot of big screens (including a 14 inch projector screen), plus DJ’s and live music.  On game nights, the Greatest Bar plays a 90 minute video highlighting the greatest moments in Bruins history, good way to get the people pumped up!  Another great spot is Hurricane O’Reillys.  This bar is popular not just on game days but other nights, specifically for young to mid 20’s Boston residents.  Enjoy these bars before and after the game, and get ready to be back next week!

From Seeing the Sports: Frozen Fenway: BC v. BU

It was the perfect setting.  20 degrees, slight wind, falling snow and college hockey.  An experience of a lifetime, BC v. BU, the greatest rivalry in college hockey, in one of the greatest, most historic sports venues in American history.  From the opening trip to The Cask 'N Flagon (rated the #2 Sports Bar in America according to ESPN), our stop to Game On, the game, and our final bar hop the gameday experience was a once in a lifetime event.

To quote ESPN: With any luck, it won't be the last "show on ice" played at Fenway Park, and with any luck, I'll be there again.   

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4819957

Video You May Not Have Seen: What a Goal

There are so many great parts to this video.  1. More than one guy messes with the defense as they are making moves towards the goal. 2. All the amazing moves 3. The pure excitement when they put it in.  Really fun to watch.