Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, the pride of Waterloo, wants to be president.
ABC News is out with a story today saying that she’s soon going to huddle with GOP powerbrokers in the state…
The Blotter
There weren’t too many Hawks on the ice Thursday during practice at the United Center.
Here’s the rundown:
* Center Dave Bolland sat out, getting a maintenance day. He played 20:11 in the win Wednesday over the Dallas Stars. He had two assists and a plus-2 rating, as his line with Bryan Bickell and Troy Brouwer stood out.
* Defenseman Jassen Cullimore has a lower-body injury, but will go on the two-game trip to San Jose and Denver.
* Injured players Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa (injured reserve) and Fernando Pisani did not partake in practice. Coach Joel Quenneville said it’s possible all three could return to the ice when they return — even Kane, who suffered an ankle injury on Sunday.
“By the time we get back two or three could be on the ice” Quenneville said.
Hossa and Pisani were already expected to resume skating by that point. But it does sound like Quenneville is encouraged by Kane’s progress.
Kane “could be [skating], but I might be optimistic,” Quenneville added.
* Jeremy Morin and Rob Klinkhammer were sent back to the Rockford IceHogs as the Hawks continue to manage the salary cap. Quenneville said one or two could rejoin the Hawks on the trip. Morin is expected to be back. He scored his first NHL goal Wednesday.
* Winger Viktor Stalberg is fine. He didn’t suffer any injuries Wednesday. He called his lack of playing time, which included no shifts in the third period, “a good old-fashioned benching.” He was on the ice for two goals by the Stars.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sometimes you have no choice. We’ll do it like this. I’ll start with the worse news, and work forward to the simply bad news. That way when it’s all over you might be able to imagine that there is a light somewhere at the end of this tunnel.
The terrible news was broken earlier this evening via twitter and OregonLive. Greg Oden will undergo another microfracture knee surgery. Oden will not return this season. Here is the initial story from OregonLive. The Blazers will have a press conference about the future of this season and Greg Oden later this evening. Stay close to your computers because I’m sure there will be plenty to talk about.
Now for the news that is simply bad. Brandon Roy underwent an MRI to get a better diagnosis on his ailing knee. The MRI showed no new damage, and surgery has been ruled out as an option. Brandon will miss the next two games, against Denver on Thursday and against Utah on Saturday, but should return after the week that Portland has off leading up to their rematch with New Orleans. Here’s OregonLive’s piece on Brandon.
Twitter has blown up in the last hour or so with everyone weighing in on what’s up with Greg. I’ll say this and this only. I’ve had the privilege of speaking to Greg in my life, and he is a great guy with a lot of heart. All he has ever wanted is to live up to the MASSIVE expectations that every single Blazer fan has bestowed upon him. This latest setback probably hurts him as much as a person as it does a basketball player. Going forward we should all remember that he is a human being, not just a basketball player, and I’m willing to bet nobody is more frustrated or disappointed about losing now his third season due to knee injury than Greg Oden.
I’ll end this short post with a positive: Tuesday’s win was a team effort, I’m sure every Blazer is itching to prove that that wasn’t a fluke.
Twitter: @mikeacker | @ripcityproject
If you are not interested in the liveblog, you can find UK-Morehead State women’s basketball updates here. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Kentucky 47, Morehead 26 with 11:57 left
Kentucky 35, Morehead 22 with 15:32 left in game
Kentucky 27, Morehead 20 at the half
Kentucky 20, Morehead 17 at 3:42 mark of first half.
Kentucky 13, Morehead 12 at 7:38 mark of first half.
Kentucky 8, Morehead 6 at 11:39 of first half
Kentucky 4, Morehead 3 at 15:41 in first half
Gentry Estes is starting to provide some scrimmage updates, and it doesn’t sound too good for the defensive backfield. That’s injuries to three contributors, and we’re left with Saban pointing out how the offense is way ahead of the defense, and how with this secondary it’s been one thing after another. It’s good that there apparently weren’t any long-term injuries suffered today, but it sounds like a rough day at the office for the Nicktator.
Update: According to Chase Goodbread, Saban calls the defensive performance today “immature.” And as per Cecil Hurt he didn’t like the intensity either. It seems like all the defense managed to do today was piss him off. Something tells me it’s going to be a long week in Tuscaloosa once tomorrow morning rolls around.
Update II: Also, Gentry Estes points out that Blake Sims sprained his foot today. Yikes.