Strong Group Of Young Women Vie For Miss USA Crown

 By Allan Brown

It's a go.

After being postponed from its usual late Spring date due to the pandemic, the 2020 Miss USA Pageant is set to go with preliminary presentation for both the Teen and Miss set for Friday at 6:45 p.m. The Miss USA finals will air on the FYI Network at 8 p.m. on Monday, November 9. 

With less than a week to go until a new Miss USA is crowned, I thought I'd blog on the contenders, the pretenders and everything in between. 

Having watched each contestant's individual video found on the Miss USA website, app and Facebook page, and also by viewing literally hundreds of photos (thank you good friend, Harold C. Brown, for always keeping me updated on the latest pictures posted!) in the past few months, here are who I think you should look out for in prelims and, of course, on finals night.

THE TOP TIER:

These are the ones, listed alphabetically, who I think have the best chance at taking home the crown:

FLORIDA : Not being a homer here, as I had my doubts on whether Monique could transform from a Miss America state titleholder (former Miss Texas in that program) to USA glam. She has done that, and more. Certainly worthy of giving the Sunshine State its first outright Miss USA winner. Note: Cheryl Patton of Florida became Miss USA in 1967 after the original winner, Sylvia Hitchcock, became Miss Universe. Exotic, well spoken and dressed to the nines in all her photos, Monique is certainly one of the standouts.

GEORGIA: Another former MAO girl, Alyssa, has sharpened her speaking skills since her time as Miss Georgia in that system and despite being a tad on the short side (Actually a trend among USA state winners this year), she could easily be the first Miss USA from the Peach State. I have never seen her in a bad evening gown in all her years of competing and definitely pushes the envelope in a good way in almost all of her fashion choices.

IDAHO: Another state that has never won the crown outright (Brandi Sherwood became Miss USA in 1997 when Brook Lee won Miss Universe), Kimberly Layne has it all, facial beauty, pageant savvy and intellect. Some of her wardrobe choices have under whelmed me, though I still think she's an upper tier contestant and one to watch.

MARYLAND: She may be the #1 one to watch right now, as she has brought her A game to Memphis, site of this year's pageant. For a while, she was in the middle status of my choices, but has definitely catapulted to my top 5 with her height, style and glamour in every picture she has posted.

MASSACHUSETTS: Also near my top, if not the top, and my clear favorite based solely on the video she posted. It wasn't even close. Wishing she could wear her state pageant-winning gown, which was killer, however, each contestant must wear a gown designed by Sherri Hill for the pageant (don't get me started on that.) Not worried, though, because this girl clearly has great taste when it comes to choosing wardrobe.

NEW YORK: Has been on fire in every photo I've seen. Top-notch interview outfit, terrific video and great wardrobe selections starting at state and going into events in Memphis. Certainly a strong possibility to give New York its fifth Miss USA and first since 1999.

OKLAHOMA: Just drop-dead gorgeous, with a great sense of fashion to match a terrific video and, obviously strong interpersonal communication skills. Could be the second Sooner in five years to win the title.

TEXAS: The most photogenic of all to me (Oklahoma is a close second), her interview suit was my absolute favorite of the bunch and she never disappoints in her fashion choices. Even when she is strictly casual, it works. Texas has always sent strong contestants and Taylor is definitely no exception. The Lone Star State hasn't won since 2008, is long overdue and this year could give the state its record 10th national winner.

DEFINITE POSSIBILITIES, THE MIDDLE TIER:

ALASKA: Hannah has pulled off the impossible, she's made an also-ran state (only 3 placements since 1972) a contender. One of my top three videos (that has to translate into a strong interview) and a great interview outfit to go with her speaking prowess, only two things make me put her in this tier instead of the top one, a few questionable fashion choices of late, and, quite frankly the state's poor track record of sending actual contenders. 

CONNECTICUT: Has turned it on with both her interview attire, video and wardrobe in Memphis, she has been on my radar since her crowning, though admittedly she sort of dropped some since her state crowning, but now that it's show time, she has emerged strong once more.

HAWAII: Definitely a strong possibility as a winner and Hawaii's first Miss USA in 23 years, my only thing holding me back from putting her into the Upper Tier is her youth, as she comes across a tad teen in her videos. Certainly one of the most glamorous women competing, though.

MISSISSIPPI: One of the most beautiful and one of my favorites, who I want to place in upper tier. What has made me put her here is only her conservative wardrobe choices, which may (or may not) hurt her. I feel like someone has forgotten to mention this is Miss USA and not Miss America (a pageant she competed in two years ago.) Very strong story and video, though.

NEW JERSEY: The only thing that underwhelmed me was her actual headshot, however, in candids, on video and in various social media postings, Gina has stood out. And as a judge in many systems, I'd rather see the contestant look more glamorous in person that in her photos anyway.

ON THE BUBBLE:

CALIFORNIA: Go back and forth with Allyshia more so than almost any contestant, one thing that works for her is her age and maturity, along with a great video and strong interview outfit, working against her is that sometimes she can look and style like she's 40, rather than 25.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Another former winner in the Miss America system, Cierra may have the most bubbly personality of all and is clearly a strong speaker. A preliminary swimsuit winner at MAO, has one of the best bodies in one of the tiniest frames. If height isn't a problem, she could easily be up there.

ILLINOIS: Breathtakingly beautiful, Olivia fits the mold if the pageant were in another era. Needs more maturity and better fashion choices, though, to be a serious contender. Have said all along, Illinois sent her too soon, and I feel this is hurting her. Could still be in top 16 on straight beauty, tho, just mesmerizing.

MICHIGAN: Probably my #2 favorite video, she might get it done in interview, though her lack of all out glamour and fashion might make her fade into the woodwork in what is an extremely competitive year.

NEBRASKA: Another former MAO state titleholder, not the most glamorous, though something about her makes me think she could get in there. Great speaking skills and personality. Likeability factor is through the roof.

VIRGINIA: A former teen winner, Susie is a great speaker who waited the right amount of time to go to Miss USA at age 27. (see Illinois), not totally sold on her, though, based on recent photos, though do think she's articulate and was well put together for interview.

WASHINGTON: Was once in my top tier, tho she has sort of fallen off recently and is in the middling range. Great video and speaking skills could work in her favor if she pulls off a great presentation show.

Also of note: North Carolina (who could be a contender, though, who leaves for Miss USA in unironed jeans?) Clearly looks not interested, which is a shame, because originally she was a definite top 10 for me; Kansas (coming on strong so far in Memphis), Ohio (only because my friend, Harold, likes her and I trust his judgment and pageant savvy); Wisconsin (something about her I definitely like.)

So you can plainly see, with so many strong contestants,  this year's pageant is a virtual dead heat and certainly worth the wait.

My Top 4 Videos:

1. MASSACHUSETTS 

2 MICHIGAN 

3. ALASKA 

4. MISSISSIPPI 

TOP 5 INTERVIEW Outfits:

1. Texas

2. New York 

3 . New Mexico 

4 . Connecticut 

5.  Alaska

Top 5 departure and overall wardrobe in Memphis and Beyond.

1. Maryland 

2 . New York 

3. Florida 

4. Oklahoma 

5. Massachusetts 

For more information,  download the Miss USA app or go to www.MissUSA.com

Under Review: How The West Will Be Won

By Allan Brown 

Part Two

With the addition of four strong teams to the playoffs, the NHL's Western Conference teams look to be primed and loaded for bear in their quest to be the Stanley Cup champion.

However, if any of the teams out West are actually going to accomplish that feat, the first round of the revised playoffs will be key for the power house squads that will vye to enter the quarterfinals of the NHL tournament. 

While the first series to be previewed here looks like a sweep,  looks can be deceiving.

EDMONTON (2nd in Pacific Division,  83 points) vs. CHICAGO (7th in Central Division,  72 points)

The Oilers should be able to handle the less-than-balanced Blackhawks, but consider this, about 40 percent plus of all Edmonton goals this season have been scored by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.  Stop those two and Chicago at least has a fighting chance. 

Goaltending should be interesting in this matchup, as neither squad has a netminder in the top 10 of either save percentages or goals against average. 

The Oilers have the advantage in both the offensive and defensive rankings and, thus,  should win this series easily.

Give the Blackhawks one game, tho Edmonton takes the best of five series, 3-1.

Now to an interesting matchup that could go either way.

ARIZONA (5th in Pacific Division,  74 points) vs NASHVILLE  (5th in Central,  78 points)

Both teams have been up and down all season so this series should go the distance.

Nashville might have a slight edge in this series as far as history goes, though the team's erratic play this season is certainly suspect. A healthy Pekka Rinne in goal would certainly be a boost to the Preds' chances. At 37, age is not on his side.

Experience is, though.

For the Coyotes, netminder Darcy Kuemper has had an extraordinary season, placing second in goals against average and third in save percentage.  Not enough good has been said about his Herculean performance between the pipes. 

Also the experience of Phil Kessel and former league MVP, Taylor Hall, props up the Coyotes. Though, on the opposing team's side, Nashville has the star power of Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi to keep them competitive. 

The key here will be Arizona's third-ranked defense, which has only given up 2.67 goals per game. Nashville is all the way down in 21st place in that statistic. Either Rinne or Jusse Saros in goal might struggle against that solid Coyotes D.

The Preds certainly have the edge in playoff experience, though think this series goes to an underrated and rising Arizona team in four.

Another close series is looked at next. 

VANCOUVER (4th in Pacific, 78 points) vs MINNESOTA (6th in Central, 77 points)

Roll 'em in this series,  too.

Vancouver has overachieved this year, whereas the Wild have been inconsistent. 

With Alex Stalok in the midst of a 20-win, four shutout season, the Wild certainly have a chance. However, gotta lean toward the team that has the firepower of JT Miller and Quinn Hughes, both ranked in the top 20 in assists for the season, and the solid and promising play of both Brock Boeser and 2017 first round pick Elias Pettersson.

Going Canucks in four, maybe five. 

The final matchup features an epic battle of Canadian teams.

CALGARY (3rd in Pacific, 79 points) vs WINNIPEG  (in Central, 80 points)

This series couldn't be any closer.

Both teams have underachieved from last season, yet are still squads that could do some damage further along in the playoffs.

Most prognosticators are going with the Flames in this one.

Don't buy into it, though. 

Winnipeg ranks slightly ahead of Calgary offensively (19th place for the Jets vs 21st place in that ranking for the Flames.) And the Jets also have an advantage with a better-ranked defense (14-18).

The big difference is in goal, where Connor Hellebuyck will be the biggest factor if the Jets want to advance. He leads the league in shutouts and also is in the top 10 in both wins and save percentage. 

No Flames player is even in the top 20 in either goals or assists, making Hellebuyck's task seem even easier.

Points wise the teams seem about even, though, because of Hellebuyck and offensive stars Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, this series is going to tip to the Jets in four.

And, then these first-round winners will have to deal with the real heavy hitters out West namely Vegas, Dallas, Colorado and the defending champion St. Louis Blues.

That's going to be a tall order for any of these squads that make it through the first round of this year's expanded playoffs.

Under Review: Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Picks

By Allan Brown 

Let the playoffs begin.

Although no timetable has been set, the seedings for the NHL playoffs have been set and there are some interesting first-round matchups that have been created by the addition of four extra teams per conference. 

This column will concentrate on the intriguing series in the Eastern Conference, where teams like the Canadians, Florida and the New York Rangers and Islanders were given an extra lease on life by the addition of the four additional teams.

The question is can those teams that wouldn't have made it to the dance outplay those who would have already been in the playoffs before the expanded format was implemented?

In one word, possibly, though definitely not in the first match-up to preview.

PITTSBURGH (3rd in Metropolitan Division, 86 points) vs MONTREAL  (5th in Atlantic Division,  71 points.)

This series looks to be a mismatch and it probably is.

The Habs can't rely totally on netminder Carey Price, who's not even having a particularly Vezina-like season, and the Pens lethal offense, actually ranked an unusually low 10th in the League, is stacked with superstars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Patrick Marleau, Patric Hornqvust, Jason Zucker and, you get the picture.

Also, if a hopefully healthy Jake Guentzel returns to the lineup alongside Crosby, that only adds fuel to Pittsburgh's fire.

A one-two punch in net with Tristan Jarry and two-time Cup winner, Matt Murray, (20 wins apiece this season) and the tough Pens D led by Kris Letang and the knockout is complete.

There's just too much star power and playoff experience here for the Pens to struggle at all in this series.

Pens sweep.....Easily.

And, now, onto the more complicated series. 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (6th in Metro, 80 points vs  FLORIDA PANTHERS (4th in Atlantic,  78 points)

The Islanders haven't been quite as dominant as they were last season, though they are still pretty tough.

In a battle of two great Cup-winning coaches, Barry Trotz and Joel Quenville, this one looks to go the whole five games.

The Panthers have the edge offensively, with the Isles still a middling team in goal scoring. Certainly some offensive juggernauts need to be obtained by the Isles in the off season. However,  New York certainly has the edge defensively allowing just 2.84 goals per game to Florida's hefty 3.30.

Advantage Isles, they win this 3-2.

Now, on to an intriguing matchup that could go to the mat games wise.

TORONTO (3rd in Atlantic,  81 points vs COLUMBUS  (5th in Metropolitan,  81 points)

The Maple Leafs were on a five-year plan to finally hoist Lord Stanley's Cup when they hired Mike Babcock in 2015.

That dream under his auspice ended when he was fired this season. However, the depth of the Leafs high-octane third-ranked offense, keeps them still in the running to win their first Cup in 53 years.

That's not likely to happen this year, though. 

That's because even though the Blue Jackets lost key components to their team when Sergei Bobosky and Artemi Panarin left for Florida and the Big Apple, respectively, they have kept pace with the teams in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan division

Under Head Coach John Tortorella, the Blue Jackets have persevered posting a fourth-ranked defense that looks to curtail the Leafs third-place offense.

Despite Toronto's offensive juggernauts,  Austin Matthews and Mitch Marner, Torts' experience and the sterling play of new Columbus netminder Elvis Merzlinkis tilt the balance in this one.

Columbus, which finally advanced past the first round of the playoffs last season, makes it two in a row this year.

Blue Jackets win series three games to two.

Now to the final matchup in the East.

CAROLINA (4th in Metro, 81 points) vs NEW YORK  RANGERS ( 7th in Metro, 79 points)

The Rangers were on a tear before the stop of the regular season. The question is can they pick up where they left off?

Possibly. 

Not likely, though, against a Carolina team hoping to go one step further from last year's runner-up status in the Eastern Conference. 

Hurricanes Head Coach Rod Brind'Amor may be the brightest new name in the League and has the playing experience that has translated into him being a premiere coach.

Despite Panarin's outstanding - and even MVP-caliber - season, the Rangers have some problems in net. Carolina has a solid duo, James Reimer and Petr Mrazek, between the pipes.

That, in addition to the Canes eighth-ranked defense, (NY struggles in that category) gives Carolina this series, three games to one.

All of these teams will have a Herculean task going forward,  though, as the top three teams in the East, Boston, Tampa Bay and Washington, look to be much more formidable once the quarter finals finally start.

Next time, the Western Conference playoff teams will be Under Review. 

Bruins Look To Dominate NHL Awards

By Allan Brown

It's a wrap.

When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced this week that the 2019-20 regular hockey season was complete, that meant the record book was closed.

All that's left now are two things: the eventual playoffs and the annual handing out of the NHL Awards.

And, if last year's honors were slanted toward Tampa Bay Lightning players, this year's trophies look to be dominated by players - even likely a coach - from Beantown. 

Originally scheduled for an electrifying ceremony in Las Vegas, the awards will now likely be handed out virtually, with no set date for either nominations nor actual presentation of the honors announced.

Of course, some awards are givens, automatically based on regular season stats.

Honors already accoladed include the Maurice Rocket Richard trophy, given annually to the player who scores the most goals.

This year it's a tie between the Capitals, Alex Ovechkin, who garners the trophy for the ninth time in his illustrious career, and Boston's David Pastrnak, both of whom scored 48 goals in the almost completed season.

Speaking of Pastrnak's Bruins, they win the dreaded Presidents Trophy, awarded to the team with the most points in the season and generally considered to be a curse as far as winning the Stanley Cup goes.

Just ask the Tampa Bay Lightning how that went for them last season.

Another Bruins triumph occurred in the award given to Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halas. The duo clinched the William M. Jennings Trophy, given to the goalie tandem that allows the fewest goals each season.

Speaking of Rask, that brings us to the awards that have yet to be voted on.

And the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the goalie deemed most outstanding in the position, may be the most intriguing race of all. 

That's because there's no clear cut winner this season, as there are four different leaders in the separate goaltending categories.

Rask appears to be the frontrunner,  as he leads in the goals against average (GAA) category and is also top three in the save percentage and shutout categories.

I'd probably lean toward him snagging the trophy,  though Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck, who is second in wins, behind the Lightning's, Andrei Vasileskiy, last year's victor in this category, can't be completely ruled out. The Jets netminder also is top six in save percentages and leads the league in shutouts.

Columbus goalie,  Elvis Merzlinkis, the wonder kid of the league in net this season, and St. Louis' Jordan Binnington, could also gain favor with Vezina voters, particularly Binnington,  who is top three in wins, and top ten in both shutouts and GAA.

Rask, though is the most likely and deserving winner when all the stats are tallied.

While Binnington may not hoist the Vezina, his head coach, Craig Berube, in my opinion, may be the best bet for the Jack Adams Trophy, given annually to the leader deemed to be the best in the league.

Berube will face some stiff competition from Boston's Bruce Cassidy, who led the Bruins to a regular season best. And both coaches showed no sign of a Stanley Cup hangover,  which in and of itself is impressive. 

Voters may lean slightly toward Cassidy, though I'd give it to Berube, for reasons not really part of the criteria for the honor.

Berube was denied the Jack Adams last season, though winning the Stanley Cup is a pretty good consolation prize. However, that fact, plus how he led the Blues to drinking out of the storied trophy may still be fresh in voters' minds when casting their ballot this season.

Not only have the Blues persevered this year, they certainly have the talent and grit to repeat this season, and Berube, who was named head coach of the team early on in the 2018-19 campaign, has them in solid stead.

Cassidy may end up as the actual winner, tho my vote goes for Berube.  Both are definitely deserving, though.

My third choice would be Carolina coach Rob Brind'Amor, who has revitalized a Hurricane team and its Caniac fan base in his two seasons in Raleigh, and who, no doubt will get a Jack Adams one day. He may be the brightest and most aggressive coach to come along in the league in a long time. 

Also, Colorado's Jared Bednar, is a solid choice and possible winner in the Jack Adams category.

His rookie player, Cale Makar, is the most likely Avalanche choice, though, for an award, as he is the most solid rookie in the league this season and should triumph over Vancouver's Quinn Hughes,  for the Calder "Rookie of the Year" honors.

Maker is second in points to Hughes, though his 50 points in only 57 games, including 19 on the powerplay, tilt the honor to the Colorado defenseman. 

Speaking of defensemen, The Norris Trophy should go to the Caps' John Carlson over Nashville's Roman Josi, for the simple reason that Washington is a better, more complete team.

In other awards, Boston should rightfully win another trophy this year for Patrice Bergeron, who just is so good he makes playing his position look like a piece of cake. That should clinch him the Frank Selke honor - given to the forward who demonstrates the most defensive component of the game - for a record-breaking fifth time.

Also, Ken Holland,  whose wheeling and dealing has finally turned the Edmonton Oilers into a legitimate contender, would be given my vote for GM of the Year.

That brings us to the biggest accolade an individual can win at the NHL Awards, the Hart Trophy.

Given annually to the League's MVP, the Oilers Leon Draisaitl should rack up another award for Edmonton and a second trophy for himself this season.

Already securing the Art Ross Trophy for having the most points in a regular season, the Oilers' deserves the MVP accolade for also being first in

assists and power play points. He is also fourth in goals scored.

In my book, that makes for an easy win for the Edmonton center.

And, his expected and deserved win in the Art Ross voting will also officially close the book on the NHL Awards for another exceptional regular season in the National.

Now, hopefully, on to the playoffs, and the award all players dream of hoisting - Lord Stanley's Cup. 

The Miracle Lives On 45 Years Later

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UNDER REVIEW

By Allan Brown
Follow Allan On Twitter

I can tell you exactly where I was at 5 p.m. on February 22, 1980.

I bet most sports fans – and maybe even those not into athletics – could, too, as it was one of those once in a lifetime moments that anyone who was alive to witness it remembers where they were at and what they were doing while the event was taking place.

It was three hours that transcended time.

In what was a different time and an entirely different era, the only people in the United States who actually were able to witness this truly miraculous event live were those who lived close enough to Canada and who were fortunate enough to have rabbit ears on their television sets that were able to bring the picture in clearly.

I was one of those fortunate ones.

Living in Toledo, Ohio, just 45 minutes south of the U.S./Canadian border, I could watch the feed of this event via Channel 9, the CBC affiliate out of Windsor. And my family had both the rabbit ears and the set-top converter box that you used to get a clearer picture.

Equipped with the then-state-of-the art technology that afforded me to watch this miracle actually take place, I laid on my side on the floor directly in front of our 20-inch television set. No blanket was needed to soften the floor, as our then-fashionable shag carpeting provided an ideal cushion. Completing my perfect viewing experience was a large bowl of hot-buttered popcorn and a huge mug of piping-hot chocolate that I had in front of me as I watched history in the making.

When the USA Men’s Olympic Hockey Team took to the ice to play the Soviet Union on that snowy, frosty February early evening, no one in their right mind thought that the American squad, comprised of amateur players who had been assembled less than six months before the event, could defeat what was arguably the best hockey team ever to play the game.

What the USA lacked in size, experience and confidence, the Russian national team had in spades.

Considered by Olympic standards to be amateurs, the Russian players were anything but novices.

You see in the nation then called the Soviet Union, young men were groomed – practically from birth – to be the best in any given sport.

Hockey was no exception.

The Soviet teams had a stranglehold on the Olympic Gold, having won the top prize in the past four Winter Games dating back to 1964.

This Soviet team gave no one in the capacity-filled Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y., any reason to doubt that they would nab a fifth-consecutive Gold Medal at the conclusion of those 13th Olympic Winter Games.

There was just one major problem with that theory.

No one told that to the USA team.

And it was that USA squad, comprised of upstarts, made up of athletes who had only excelled at the collegiate level, that stood in the Soviets’ way.

The Americans were coached by a man whose collegiate success was well known to those who followed NCAA hockey at the time, but who was virtually an unknown to everyone else prior to the start of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games.

Herb Brooks, who was coach of the University of Minnesota’s men’s hockey team when he was recruited by the U.S. Olympic committee to lead his country’s Olympic squad, certainly became a household name, though, in the days leading up to that semifinal contest against the Soviets.

Choosing to fill his roster with players representing a cross-section of the universities with the greatest and proudest collegiate hockey traditions, Brooks certainly was unorthodox.

He liked to do things his own way.

It almost backfired on him, as U.S. Olympic officials were at loggerheads with him on many points, not the least of which was how quickly he assembled the team.

Once he had his squad, his abrasive – to say the least – personality certainly didn’t endear himself to the team he had hand chosen to go to the Olympics

Rough around the edges doesn’t even begin to cover how Brooks’ players likely felt about him.

Not one to mince words or cut corners, Brooks demanded that his team members played up to their potential.

When they didn’t, he had no problem letting them know that they had failed to meet his lofty expectations.

Take for instance an exhibition game vs. Norway in the fall prior to the Olympics where the team played to a 3-3 tie with their Norwegian counterparts.

A tie was simply unacceptable to Brooks, even if it was in an exhibition game.

So to retaliate against his squad, Brooks made them continue skating the length of the rink long after the crowds had gone and the lights were turned off in the arena.

That’s just how Brooks was.

His players learned to live with it.

It was either that or they didn’t play.

It was that same gritty demeanor, though, that worked to Brooks’ favor as the USA team prepared to take to the ice on that fateful day in February 36 years ago.

To say that the Americans were an underdog was the understatement of the century.

The Soviets had annihilated the USA, 10-3, in an exhibition game just 13 days before and there was no reason to expect a different outcome this time.

Except, again, no one told that to the Americans and, certainly, no one told that to Brooks.

In what can only be described as a speech for the ages, Brooks drilled into his team that, yes, the Soviets were the better squad on paper, but that the Americans, his Americans, were all born to be hockey players and they were the team of destiny on that given day.

That was the understatement of the year.

Patterning his American squad after the Europeans who had been quite successful in Olympic and World hockey play, Brooks led the upstart USA team to a 4-0-1 record to get to the semifinals.

And once there, the USA team had to come from behind to tie the game with the Soviets at two after the first period.

After falling behind 3-2, the Americans were going to have to do the unthinkable to even the game out once more.

They did.

Having already forced the replacement of Viktor Tikhonov, who is considered to be one of the greatest goalies to ever play the game, the Americans knotted up the score once more on a Mark Johnson power play goal. They followed that up with a goal by the team’s captain, Mike Eruzione, that gave the USA a 4-3 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The Americans never looked back.

The rest is history.

Just two days later, the USA team went on to defeat Finland, 4-2, to win the Gold Medal and solidify the ‘Miracle on Ice’ as the greatest sports moment ever.

But don’t just take my word for it.

In 1999, Sports Illustrated named the ‘Miracle On Ice’ as the top sports moment of the 20th century.

The reasons were varied.

Yes, that win versus the Soviets was truly a miracle, but not just for the obvious reasons.

You have to look further, look deeper, to truly view the victory in its proper context.

At the time, the U.S. was in the middle of a deep recession, the likes of which wouldn’t be seen again for another 28 years.

Gas prices were at a then all-time high.

Fuel was rationed and long lines at the pumps had become the norm.

Unemployment was running rampant.

And to top it off, Iran had been holding more than 60 American diplomats hostage for 110 days and they would remain captive for another 334.

Morale was at an all-time low.

What that American victory did on that cold, February Friday, was give people hope. It raised their spirits. It transcended a simple sporting event.

It allowed citizens to believe that the USA could rise above its problems.

It made Americans believe the country could be great once more.

For the players on the ice, it may have been a simple hockey game, but for the rest of the country, it was much more than that, so much more.

So even 45 years later, that moment when Al Michaels uttered those classic words ‘Do You Believe in Miracles’ as the last seconds ticked off the clock, is still etched in our brains.

It certainly is etched in mine.

And since the Soviet Union wouldn’t allow ABC to move the game to primetime because it would have aired at four in the morning back in Russia, most Americans only saw the contest on tape delay.

Most, but not all.

I was one of the fortunate ones who was able to witness the game live and to watch the great Olympic moment following the victory when goalie Jim Craig skated around the ice draped in the American flag.

It’s doubtful, though, that a tape-delayed broadcast of the game diminished the impact of the victory even one little bit.

In an era where people didn’t have cell phones, where most didn’t have cable and before the internet was around to spoil those special television moments, most Americans likely thought they were watching a live broadcast anyway.

Trust me, countless replays of the game and even a movie that – for the most part – accurately depicted the events of the day and the months leading up to it, haven’t diminished that moment for me.

It still gives me goosebumps.

It still makes me cry like a baby.

As I get older, I often wish that I could go back in time and relive my youth or change things I have done in my life.

One thing I’ll never want to change, though, is that feeling I had, that I still have, when I look back at the USA win.

It may seem absurd to put that much stock into what is seemingly just a simple sporting event.

But, you see, that’s just it.

For those who were alive, it was more than just a game, more than just a win on the ice.

It allowed the country to dream again and to believe that dreams could come true.

And that in and of itself is sort of ironic when you really start to consider it.

In subsequent years, the Olympics started allowing professional players to participate in the Olympics.

I definitely agree with what was attributed to Brooks at the end of the 2004 film, ‘Miracle,’  and that once these so-called ‘dream teams’ were permitted to compete, the country seldom achieved the dream.

Personally, I know that no matter what has happened in the years following the ‘Miracle on Ice,’ one thing has never been able to be taken away from me.

For at least one cold, snowy, weekend in February 36 years ago, a dream was complete and was allowed to come true.

I can safely say that anyone who witnessed the historic moments of that weekend feels exactly the same way.

About the Author

Allan Brown

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Allan graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in communication, with emphasis in print media, from The University of Toledo. While at UT, he was editor in chief of the campus newspaper and was named Outstanding Journalism student at the University.

Upon graduation, he worked at several newspapers and public relations firms in Ohio and Michigan and was the recipient of two Associated Press awards for journalistic excellence.

Allan’s love for sports started at an early age when traveling to New England to visit his grandparents and being taken to numerous Patriots and Boston Red Sox games.

He moved to Florida in 1992 – at about the same time that the Tampa Bay Lightning came to town – and instantly became a Bolts fan, as Allan’s love for hockey dates back to watching Hockey Night in Canada with rabbit ears via the CBC feed from Windsor, Ontario.

He has previously covered the Lightning on a freelance basis. In addition, he covered the Bolts at Top Sports Report, where he also published a bi-weekly op-ed column on a variety of sports topics.

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Under Review: Lightning Fast Season Put Bolts On Track for NHL Hardware

By Allan Brown

As an attorney, Jon Cooper could certainly argue his case for winning the Jack Adams Trophy.

He won't, though.

He's too humble.

However, I have no problem advocating for the Tampa Bay Lightning head coach to finally take home the trophy as best coach in the league.

What Cooper has done in his six full seasons as Lightning coach has been nothing short of amazing.

Yet, he has but one NHL Award nomination for the Jack Adams and no win.

That should change this year.

Despite most NHL analysts' projections that the New York Islanders' head coach, Barry Trotz will be given the Jack Adams when the NHL Awards are dispensed in Las Vegas this June, Cooper is the leader who should actually hoist that trophy.

Here's why.

Even if you totally - and rightfully based on voting criteria - discount everything Cooper has done in the past several years, including leading the Lightning to three Eastern Conference Final (and one Stanley Cup Final) appearances in the last four years, the Bolts coach would still be the right choice for the Jack Adams

That's because what he has led the Lightning to 'THIS SEASON' is nothing short of phenomenal.

The Bolts currently own a 17-point lead over Boston in the Atlantic Division and a 13-point lead over Calgary for the President's Trophy, given annually to the team with the best record in the NHL.

Tampa Bay leads the league in offensive statistics and is a top five team in defense. It also is tied with Arizona for the top spot for penalty kill, having improved dramatically in that statistic this season. The Bolts also have the top-ranked power play percentage in the NHL.

And, all of this is done with players who weren't necessarily household names when they joined the Lightning and/or were coached by Cooper when he led the team's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, (and formerly the Norfolk Admirals) before taking over the Bolts toward the end of the 2012-13 season.

What Trotz has done in New York is certainly worth consideration. He's guided an Islanders team most thought wouldn't contend for two to three years into a legitimate playoff team. However, looking at their record and statistics alone, Cooper should have the edge for the Jack Adams.

While the Islanders currently lead the league in defense, they are not a balanced team and check in at number 21 in offensive production.

While they still lead the Metropolitan Division, they have loosened their grip of late on that lead and did nothing during the recent NHL trade deadline to improve the squad for a playoff push.

I suspect the Isles will be in the top three still in their division at the end of the regular season, though none of their numbers can compete with the completeness of the stats the Bolts put up.

Trotz would be number two in my vote for the Jack Adams. Cooper, however, is clearly my top choice.

If Cooper had just taken over the Bolts this season, his numbers might not be as astonishing, as the team was already  a contender, however, what he has done is tweak and nurture the squad over time to get them where they are today.

In the process, he has taken the Lightning to new levels of excellence. He has been denied the Jack Adams honor once before for basically doing what Trotz is doing now.

He should not be denied this season.

As for other Bolts who should be given serious consideration for NHL Awards, one is going to need to convince voters he's the best in the league - the Lightning fans already have his back on that one - and the other just needs to continue to do what he's best at, which is simply accumulating points.

Looking at the race for the Vezina Trophy, given annually to the goaltender deemed as being best at his position, it would seem that no one is a lock for that honor this year.

That's where Andrei Vasilevskiy comes in.

Most pundits put Vasy as number two or three for that honor due to a lower body injury that took him out of commission for about a month earlier in the season.

Even missing four weeks of games, Vasilevskiy is still technically third in contests won at 28. He is tied for first with Vegas's Marc Andre Fleury (the only goaltender I think could legitimately take the Vezina from Vasy at this point) in shutouts with six.

In other stats, Vasy ranks first in save percentage at .930 and third in goals against average at 2.26.

Down the home stretch, the Bolts are stronger and have more depth and consistency than the Golden Knights so that should stand Vasy in good stead versus Fleury.

The Vezina race is certainly going to be a dog fight till the end, I suspect.

As for the other Bolt currently on pace for an NHL Award, winger, Nikita Kucherov, has to do is keep scoring or continue getting assists and he will take home the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the player with the most points in the League.

Kucherov currently is eight points ahead of Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks for that award.

With his 101 points, Kucherov leads the Bolts in assists and is third on a deep team in goals. Actually, a strong case could also be made for the winger to win the Hart Trophy, awarded to the League MVP, too.

An obviously strong shooter who has grown tremendously in all other aspects of the game, too, Kucherov's record-setting pace to 100 points doesn't look to slow down much as the Lightning head to the home stretch of the regular season.

Although nothing is set in stone yet, Kucherov looks to be the Lightning's best bet to win some hardware in June.

However, with Cooper and Vasilevskiy setting some strong - and possibly team-record numbers of their own it could - and rightfully should - be a trifecta for the Lightning in Vegas this June.

Under Review: A Counterpoint to Point's All-Star Exclusion

By Allan Brown

Let me get right to the point of this column.

Brayden Point, that is. 

Quite simply put, the Lightning's top goal scorer was robbed when it came to inclusion on the NHL's All-Star team.

Announced Wednesday evening, both Captain Steven Stamkos and winger Nikita Kucherov made the cut.

And, rightfully so, especially in Kuch's case, as he leads the League in both assists and points.

However, under the League's more-than-slightly flawed system, where every team must have a player on the All-Star roster, Point was left out in the cold.

To some extent, so was netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy.

While Vasy's exclusion was bad, though could be slightly defended because he was out for a month with a broken foot and his goals against average since returning is a slightly-bloated, 2.59 (still better than most who were put on the All-Star roster) he still should have been chosen over Cary Price and Jimmy Howard, both of whom's numbers aren't exactly great. Point's being left off the roster, though, is downright criminal.


While I understand the League's thinking on this subject, I don't agree with it.

Stamkos is a hotter and more well-known commodity who had a tremendous December, netting 14 goals.

Point, however, has had the better season (leading the team in goals a statistic that is good for 11th place in the League) and isn't that the point of the All-Star game - to have the best players in that 'given' season attend the event?

Not that I wouldn't vote Stamkos to the team too, though if only two Bolts could be included in the event, Point would be the one I would choose.

And, the Lightning aren't alone in this debacle, as star players who are performing at an All-Star clip such as Toronto's Mitch Marner, Dallas' Ben Bishop and Pittsburgh's Kris Letang, were also denied invites to the dance.

I get it, no process which allows a group to randomly select members is going to be entirely objective or perfect, I definitely think this NHL inclusion process needs some reform.

I would at least allow NHL fans to choose three - ideally four - players from each division, rather than the current procedure where voters only get to choose one.

While fans do get an opportunity to now select one more player in each division in the League's newly implemented 'Last Man In,' fan vote, it is simply not enough.

That's because the fans actually usually get it right and certainly did this year in choosing Toronto's Auston Matthews, Washington's Alex Ovechkin, Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon as division captains.

The NHL has a hugely loyal fanbase who want to see the best players in any given season at the annual classic, not necessarily the most popular.

This current selection process does not do that and certainly does not allow the best players to date to participate in the All-Star game and to get their chance to show fans that they are not only great, but have what it takes to be big stars in the NHL.

While it would be nice to think the League might gain some more followers through this contest, I would wager most non-NHL fans would be content to see who is having a real All-Star season as opposed to seeing those who hockey purists already know are destined for the Hockey Hall of Fame someday.

Although in the every cloud has a silver lining stream of thought, the only possible good thing to come from some of these exclusions is that those not invited to participate will have close to a week to rest and shore up for a playoff run in the waning weeks of the 2018-19 NHL campaign.