The Good, the bad and the ugly

Good

When the season began, the one game on everyone’s mind was the Winter Classic between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.

Since the lockout, this has become one of fiercest rivalries in the NHL, mostly because their respective captains happen to be the biggest superstars in the league: Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

It promised to be the biggest game between the two teams since their epic 2009 Eastern Conference semifinal series that the Penguins won in seven games.

So what better way to celebrate the league by allowing HBO to film a four-part documentary series leading up to the Winter Classic. Just like everything else HBO does, the series — titled 24/7 — was a smashing success.

Most importantly for the league, it gave the fans an inside look into their beloved teams. It showed the softer and lighter side of men who come across as the most boring on earth. Plus, we learned Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau drops f-bombs every three words.

This was a great move to increase the league’s profile in the U.S. and will certainly help boost the game’s popularity. It’s about time this league did something right.

Bad

Retirement may have become too early for Kara Lang.

Lang, one of Canada’s top female soccer players, announced her retirement on Wednesday. At only 24-years–old, the national team forward had a long and successful career ahead of her, but due to several serious knee injuries, the forward has been forced to end her career.

Despite her early retirement, Lang has still managed to make an impact at the international level. Lang joined the national squad at the age of 15 and during that time she competed in two World Cups and the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Although her playing days are done, Lang has considered pursuing a job in the media covering soccer.

It’s always bad news when a great player has too hang up their cleats, especially during the prime of their career. But this is also bad news for Canadian soccer. Lang was one the best female soccer players Canada has ever had, and would have been expected to lead the national team for many years to come.

And with Lang being one of the national team leaders in minutes, her absence will certainly be felt by the rest of the team.

Ugly

Congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes for winning the Sugar Bowl earlier this week. You guys should send the NCAA a thank you card.

The NCAA allowed five Buckeyes to play in the game despite clear rule violations that occurred in December. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, tailback Dan Herron, receiver DeVier Posey, offensive tackle Mike Adams and defensive end Solomon Thomas received suspensions for selling off awards they had won for cash and using their fame to receive free tattoos.

NCAA student-athletes are not allowed to use their status for personal gain, so a five-game suspension was a suitable punishment according to the rulebook.

Except the NCAA determined that the suspension would start next season – after this post-season game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, arguably the most important game of the season. These players may not even play for the Buckeyes next season.

All five of these players made significant contributions in the 31-26 victory, including Thomas, who had a game ending interception.

So way to send a strong message guys – they won’t tolerate this kind of thing as long as you aren’t a big school playing in an important game.