"The Boys In The Boat" Resonates At U-Dub

((HT: KING5-TV))

Full disclosure

The HQ has the Daniel James Brown book to the right of the computer monitor at our desk at work.

It tells the story of nine guys of various backgrounds- farmer, logger, ship builder, etc.- that got together at the University of Washington and ended up winning gold in Berlin in 1936.

It's a cool story that almost never got told...

Here's Eric Wilkinson

The HQ also recommends picking it up and visiting the U-Dub campus if you have the chance.

Hand Jive Gets Russian Coach Suspended For Final (UPDATED: They Found A Way Around It)

((HT: LVHighlights))

Let's face it...

Russian head coach Oleg Znarok and Swedish head coach Rikard Gronborg had issues with each other in the World Championships and how they were handling their teams in Minsk.

They let each other know it through sign and song...


The outbursts got Znarok a one-game suspension, but the suspension was for today's final game against Finland.

Mikael Backlund's hit against Sergei Plotnikov in the final seconds of the semifinal set both of them off. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) banned Znarok for the throat-slashing gesture seen in the video.

Znarok said after the game that "the Swedish forward was out of order." Gronborg was also suspended for the bronze medal game against the Czechs for "directing foul and profane language" at Znarok.

Ah, coaching...
Especially, on the international level...

SUNDAY UPDATE: It looks like Znarok either communicated with his bench assistant via either cell phone or walkie talkie and celebrated on the ice when the Russians won
((HT: Kukla's Corner))


So much for the enforcement of rules- especially in international competitions

Team Canada Goalie Playing For SPHL Franchise

And, no, the HQ isn't talking about Carey Price...

Shannon Szabados, it appears, is going to be spending the rest of the season as a goalie for the Columbus (GA) Cottonmouths in the SPHL- a good goalie gets a chance in the US minor leagues...

She broke the news in an interview with Sportsnet 590 The Fan's "Sportsnet Tonight" program with Jeff Sammut and George Rusic.

Catch the interview hyah...

The gold medal-winning goalie is adding the SPHL to her Western Hockey League resume and practiced with the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week.

Team USA fans would like to forget Szabados even exists after her gold-medal game performance. But the HQ will tip their hat to her as she heads south...

Here's her tour with the Oil...
((HT: The National))

Kurt Angle wants to be in the Olympics again

Kurt Angle

((ht: new york post))

Oh it's true. You know it's true.

1996 Olympic Wrestling Gold Medal winner and current TNA professional wrestler Kurt Angle wants to return to the Olympics.

Really.

The New York Post did an interview with Angle and the 43-year-old says "I can guarantee that I will either make the Olympic team or be an alternate. I will go over to London and represent my country."

If you are a pro wrestling geek, then you know Angle at various times in his pro career has played up his amateur wrestling background.

But the game has changed.

Angle says Total Nonstop Action wrestling has been totally supportive, allowing him time to train and do what he needs to so he is ready when the team trials come up.

And we think the folks at TNA aren't stupid. If Angle can pull this off, you can bet money there will be a storyline that will accompany it. It would be a "PR Bonanza" for the 2nd place wrestling organization.

Read the whole story from the New York Post RIGHT HERE

While not the wrestling fans that we used to be, we respect Angle's skill and tenacity. And we wish him nothing but the best in his attempt, it could, in theory be quite a story when the 2012 Olympics in London commence this summer.

But the cynic in us wonders if this is a bit of a work.

Here is Angle doing his current job (thanks TNA):



We may get in trouble for this, but here is YouTube video of Angle winning his gold in Atlanta in 1996: