Metropolitan wins 2019 NHL All-Star Games

Garrett Hoffman

Staff Writer

On Jan. 26 and 27 the NHL All-Star games took place at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. Every season, there are all-star games and skill competitions held in January where the best players in the NHL can show off their skills. Each NHL team submits one or two players to be selected on a roster for the four all-star teams, the Central, Pacific, Metropolitan, and the Atlantic. There are four teams because there are four conferences in the NHL. Last week, the rosters were revealed.

     In the skills competitions, there was the fastest skater round, where players race around the rink and see who gets the fastest time. Connor McDavid won the fastest skater competition, completing a full lap around the entire ice in 13.454 seconds skating 40.9 km/h. No one has beat last year's record completed by Dylan Larkin getting 12.894 seconds.

    Next, there was best passer competition where competitors have to sauce pucks into different mini-nets. Johnny Gaudreau won the puck control competition. Then there was save streak which is when there is a shootout and players try to show off their best moves on goalies. Henrik Lundqvist, known as the king won the goalie competition. He made 12 shootout saves in a row. After that, there is a puck control competition. In this competition, players will have to skate through cones with a puck and keep control of it, after they make it around the cones they have to stickhandle through a line of pucks. On top of that, there was the most popular competition, which was the NHL’s hardest shot. This year, Washington Capitals, John Carlson wins with a 103 MPH slapshot. Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara still holds the world record with a 109 MPH slap shot. Lastly, they have the shooting accuracy competition. In this competition, players have to shoot pucks in all four corners of the net hitting targets, fastest time wins. When a player wins one of these competitions, it adds points to their team. Boston Bruins player David Pastrnak wins the shooting accuracy.

     After the skills competitions, they had the games. The first game was Central vs. Pacific, then Atlantic vs. Metropolitan. The winners of the games went on to play in the championship game. The Metropolitan won, beating the Central division 10-5. Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby got the league's MVP. The entire Metropolitan team got a $1 million check which was divided amongst the players.

     There was a carnival in San Jose on the Friday, Jan. 25, before the competitions. There, people and fans met players and participated in many fun games.

NFL Reviews Pass Interference Rules

Matthew Bracco & John Ryan

Staff Writers

During this year’s NFC championship game, the New Orleans Saints were robbed of a win due to a poor call. On a game-deciding third down in the fourth quarter, Rams cornerback, Nickell Robey-Coleman blasted Saints receiver, Tommylee Lewis while he was running his route. No call was made, which in the end, gave the Los Angeles Rams a one-way ticket to the super bowl.

     NFL refs are not allowed to replay footage of pass interference plays, which means there is no way of getting around this devastatingly poor call. Normally if a defender makes a play on a receiver mid-route, let alone crushing him without looking at the ball, the flags fly instantly, which is why not even playmaker Robey-Coleman could believe there was no call made. If this play was able to be replayed, the Saints may have had a chance at winning. However, the pass was considered incomplete, giving the Saints one more play before the Rams took possession. Many players were very unhappy with the call made on the field including start wide receiver Mike Thomas who tweeted after the game saying “Rule 17 Section 2 Article 3” which is referring to the “Penalties for unfair acts” rule which technically gives Commissioner, Roger Goodell the power to overturn or reschedule the game if valid evidence is found. But a full investigation would need to be in place and the likelihood of this happening is virtually impossible.     

     The NFL has not issued a public response to what might be the biggest officiating controversy in league history. A source told Mark Maske of the Washington Post that “NFL leaders and the league’s rule-making competition committee plan to consider making pass interference calls subject to challenges and replay review. Interference is common, and the ability to challenge and or replay a play can and will change the course of the way interference is taken in the National Football League.

Breaking Down NHS’s Upcoming Girls Lacrosse Season

Juliana Covino

Staff Writer

Even though New Hope Solebury’s spring sports are two months away, the girl's lacrosse team has already started to gear up for its upcoming season. Betsy Dougherty, the team’s varsity coach, constantly reminds her players that it's never too early work on their fundamental skills in the offseason. The team’s 2018 season included a lot of first time wins and huge victories, such as beating Jenkintown for the first time in school history to share the BAL title. In addition, last year saw one of the biggest freshman classes that showed immense talent. Last year was only the beginning of a dynasty lacrosse program that Coach Dougherty and the players hope to build.

     Even though the team lost six seniors and a goalkeeper, Coach Doc is ready to get the players back on the field and looks forward to a new season. Both the players and coach know that the hardest part about a spring sport is the changes in the weather and getting the whole team out on the field practicing. Even if the girls can’t practice outside, they make the most of the indoor sessions working on the basics.

     Position wise Carolyn Thistlewaite, a junior who has already committed to James Madison University, Kate Dougherty, and Maggie DeVito are relentless in the midfield. Varsity captains Zoe Palau and Amy Hutwelker are leaders on opposite ends on the field. Zoe holds up the defensive end of the field while Amy leads the attacking/offensive end. However, one very important position on the field is left up for grabs. Coach Doc and the players are urging anyone who is interested to try out for the goalie position. Furthermore, Coach Doc says that if anyone is interested in the position she will provide goalie training for that individual. Overall, this young team that shows a lot of talent and promise and only can grow.

MLB is experiencing a record slow offseason

Jake Menz & Jack Gawason

Staff Writers

The 2018-2019 offseason was once predicted to be a historic and memorable offseason in terms of the talent on the market and the money that would be spent. Now over halfway through the offseason, this market is not turning out as predicted. Up to date, the biggest trend has been for teams and players choosing to wait as long as they feel is needed instead of ensuring their 2019 contracts.

     The offseason started off slow with many players and teams picking up player options and only one player accepting the qualifying offer, Hyun-Jin Ryu. As spring training looms the best free agents remain on the market with no immediate deals appearing likely. This class of free agents is headlined by two young, premier talents, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Both players burst into the league at a young age and have made their presence felt every season. Manny Machado has played for the Baltimore Orioles for his entire career up until the last half of the 2018 season when he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was another impressive season for Machado but unfortunately it ended with some controversy over his decisions and effort. Even though he played the entire season it may be the couple games in the playoffs he chose not to hustle that will determine his impending contract. Bryce Harper, a former number one overall pick has had a similar career as Machado, as the two are both on track to join the MLB Hall of Fame. The biggest distinction for Harper is his 2015 season. This season was historic for him winning the NL MVP. So far, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago White Sox’s have been connected to the superstars, but the Phillies and White Sox’s remain the favorites for the two. No one can be certain when the two will sign, but when they do, both contracts will be massive, historic deals for the league.

     Other big players that still remain on the market are all-star closer Craig Kimbrel, World Series winning starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, and stud center fielder A.J. Pollock. All these players are guaranteed to strike a big contract, but it is looking more likely they will all have to settle for cheaper deals than they originally believed they would receive. The starting pitching market is starting to move and players are finding the team they will play for in 2019 and potentially beyond, most notably with Patrick Corbin signing a six-year deal with the Washington Nationals.

     Thankfully for baseball fans, free agents are not the only source of news during this time and teams are also making trades to improve their teams. Earlier in the offseason, star first baseman, Paul Goldschmidt was traded from Arizona Diamondbacks to the St. Louis Cardinals. The New York Mets made headlines for their trade with the Seattle Mariners receiving top players, closer, Edwin Diaz and second basemen, Robinson Cano. Additionally, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds hooked up with Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and Alex Wood going to the Reds for younger prospects.    

            It is difficult to predict when these other great players will finalize their contracts, but when they do, it will definitely shake up the league and might potentially trigger other moves. In a league that is continually searching for younger talent, youthful players with potential is the popular way to go, but every successful teams need some productive veterans to hold the clubhouse together and ultimately be successful.