Monday, January 7 2013 12:04 AM EST2013-01-07 05:04:47 GMT
It's the news Hockeytown's been waiting for. A tentative deal is reached to end the 113 day NHL lockout.
It's the news Hockeytown's been waiting for. A tentative deal is reached to end the 113 day NHL lockout. It still needs to be ratified by players and the league, but if all goes well, hockey should start within two weeks.
By Jennifer Hammond FOX 2 Sports
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -- Let me start by saying, I never expected that there wouldn't be an NHL season.
But at the same time I never anticipated negotiations would take as long as they did - certainly I assumed a struggling league like the NHL would understand the importance of getting a deal done sooner than later. Hey, the National Stage of the Winter Classic would have made a great back drop to make a return, wouldn't it?
With great relief I woke up Sunday to news that a tentative deal had finally been struck by the two sides, which is no small miracle considering Don Fehr was working on behalf of the players. It struck me as odd that Gary Bettman would make the announcement at 5:45 a.m., when just about every sports fan was still sound asleep dreaming about NFL playoffs - but then it was pointed out to me that Bettman finally did one decent thing, he gave the throngs of waiting media outside of the NY negotiations some closure and a positive story to write about.
Here in Hockeytown, the timing couldn't be more perfect - perhaps fans will be annoyed with the way the league has treated its fans, but with an owner like Mike Ilitch that sour taste shouldn't spill over. If anything there will be more anticipation than ever for the race to the playoffs with an abbreviated (48 or 50 game) schedule, with the changes in the line up and the impact of every game fans will get an idea pretty quickly about the Wings chances for the post season. It may not be ideal for Mike Babcock, who likes to spend the better part of the regular season tinkering with his line ups. But with Datsyuk and Zetterberg anchoring the offense and Howard in net, this is a team that could become a sleeper. Who ever thought we'd be saying that?
So it's fitting that we woke up on a snowy Sunday morning anticipating playoff football (sans the Lions) and excited to finally get the real season started.
It's like Christmas morning all over again - and April will be here before you know it!
Monday, April 8 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-04-09 00:40:32 GMT
Whether it's Michigan or Louisville players cutting down the nets after Monday's big game, they will be using a yellow and blue ladder specially made for the 75th anniversary of the NCAA tournament.
Whether it's Michigan or Louisville players cutting down the nets after Monday's big game, they will be using a yellow and blue ladder specially made for the 75th anniversary of the NCAA tournament.
Monday, April 8 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-04-08 23:05:46 GMT
At Michigan, tailgating is usually reserved for football games, but that is not the case when the Wolverines are playing for their first basketball title in nearly 25 years.
At Michigan, tailgating is usually reserved for football games, but that is not the case when the Wolverines are playing for their first basketball title in nearly 25 years.
Monday, April 8 2013 6:41 AM EDT2013-04-08 10:41:28 GMT
Michigan head coach John Beilein says prepping for Louisville in only 24 hours is a daunting task. But his players feel ready to bring the university its first national title since 1989.
Michigan head coach John Beilein says prepping for Louisville in only 24 hours is a daunting task. But his players feel ready to bring the university its first national title since 1989.
Thursday, April 4 2013 10:05 AM EDT2013-04-04 14:05:44 GMT
When future classes look back at this Michigan basketball team, they'll see what this 'Fearless Five' did to put basketball back on the map in Ann Arbor.
When future classes look back at this Michigan basketball team, they'll see what this 'Fearless Five' did to put basketball back on the map in Ann Arbor.
Tuesday, February 19 2013 11:19 PM EST2013-02-20 04:19:18 GMT
It was Ali-Frazier, Holmes-Norton and Leonard versus Hagler all rolled into one Tuesday night in East Lansing -- the heavyweight battle between number one and number four at the Breslin.
It was Ali-Frazier, Holmes-Norton and Leonard versus Hagler all rolled into one Tuesday night in East Lansing -- the heavyweight battle between number one and number four at the Breslin.
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Red Wings coach Mike Babcock will have a much different roster this season.
