Happy Time: Bob Ryan, Duke and Men's Hockey

It is time once again for the happys.

Happy Birthday Bob Ryan. Ryan is a 1968 history major graduate of Boston College. After graduating, he took a position with the Globe and soon was the beat writer for the Boston Celtics. He would later go on to become general sports columnist in 1989. Outside of Boston, Ryan is most well known for his airtime on ESPN, including guesting on The Sports Reporters, Around the Horn, and PTI. Say what you will about Ryan’s perceived lack of support for BC athletics (Lupica gives us much more pub) and momentary lapse of judgement, Ryan is still a great sports writer. I actually went up to him on the floor of a BC-UMass game when I was a student to compliment him on his writing. He had good things to say about our school and that year’s basketball team.

Happy Trails Duke Blue Devils. Last night you were dispatched by the U in men’s basketball, 96-95. It was the first win for Miami against the #5 Blue Devils in 45 years. The Hurricanes win proves I now officially have no idea what the heck is going on in ACC basketball this year. We light up Wake Forest for 112 points, win our 13th straight game against Miami, lose to the Blue Devils by 10, and then Duke loses twice in a week to Wake and Miami. Not to mention we give defending conference regular season champ UVA their only 2 conference wins. None of this makes any sense.

Happy Anniversary BC men’s hockey. On this day 4 years ago, you blanked lowly UMass Lowell 5-0 at Tsongas Arena in Hockey East action. The win pushed the Eagles unbeaten streak to 13 games. The Eagles were lead by netminder Matti Kaltianen (26 saves) and Tony Voce (3 points). The 2004 version of the Eagles would go on to make the Frozen Four in Boston, a game in which Jeff and I attended, only to have our hearts broken with a 2-1 national semifinals loss to the Maine Black Bears. That loss was probably the most depressing BC sporting event I have ever attended. Here's to hoping its the last, however, this blogger isn't holding his breath.