by The Cowl Editor on November 9, 2017

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By Eileen Flynn ’20 

Sports Staff

 

     So far this year, many NFL teams have surprised their fans with unfamiliar performances. The Patriots are no longer in control of the AFC East and the Falcons are sliding down below the Panthers in the NFC South.

   However, one team that is not only on its way to winning their division, but in full stride to win Super Bowl LII is the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have acquired an impressive record of 8-1, placing them at the top of all the other NFL teams.

   Their one loss of the season was due to the Kansas City Chiefs’ strong defense. After this tough battle in the second week of the season, the Eagles have bounced back, each game coming out stronger and smarter than the last.

   It is hard for a team to be successful if they lack a reliable quarterback, luckily for the Eagles, Carson Wentz is even better than reliable.

  The recent 34-24 win over the Redskins was due to Wentz’s strength under pressure. Wentz showed his mobility and comfort in and outside the pocket throughout the game. His fourth touchdown pass of the day was made possible due to the escape of a near third-down sack just several plays before. Wentz finished the game 17-of-25 passing for 268 yards. His teammates are not surprised by his clutch performance, instead it is becoming more common than not.

   The multitude of outlets Wentz’s teammates provide him with is what makes his offense so intimidating. Four different runners touch the ball almost every game, making the Eagles a tough team to defend. After the offense files off the field, the Eagles send out a dependable defense team. Timmy Jerigan, Fletcher Cox, and Derek Barnett supply relentless pressure on their opponent’s offense.

   Although the Eagles have a long way to go before playoffs, the team is on the right track. It has been several years since the Eagles have made a run in the playoffs, however, the 2017 season holds promise for a change in history for the Philadelphia Eagles.

by The Cowl Editor on November 9, 2017

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By Ethan Ticehurst ’18

Sports Staff

  

After being one of the worst teams in the league for more than a decade, the Los Angeles Rams have emerged as a major threat to the rest of the league this season. With a record of 6-2, they have shown that they are capable of winning. A league-leading average of 32.9 points per game proves that they are capable of winning big too.

   The biggest advantage that they have this year is the fact that they were so awful last year. It may seem a bit counter-intuitive, but going from worst to first is actually easier to do in the NFL than in any other professional sports league. Due to the shorter season, NFL teams do not have to play every team in the league every season. The NFL crafts the schedule so that all teams in the same conference that all finished in the same position in their divisions will play each other the next year. Thanks to a bad season last year, the Rams not only have an improved team, they also get to play against some of the worst teams in the league. They will only improve upon their already solid record, picking up a top playoff spot.

     Once they are in the playoffs, the Rams have just as of much of a chance as anyone else to make the Super Bowl and to win it. They have a strong offense that puts up over 30 points a game consistently which can carry them through to the end. The Lombardi Trophy will be coming back to the city of Los Angeles this year.

by The Cowl Editor on November 2, 2017

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By Max Anderson ’18

Sports Staff

    If I were writing this article four years ago, I would have said that basketball is the best winter sport to follow here at Providence College. However, after being a student here at the time that the PC Men’s Hockey Team won the National Championship in 2015, I can honestly say that men’s hockey has become my favorite sport to follow here at Providence during the winter season.

    Through the duration of my college career, the Friars hockey team has made it to the NCAA Tournament each year (2015-2017), including being awarded a number one seed in the 2016 tournament, and taking home a National Championship trophy in 2015. This is no disrespect to the basketball team here at PC, as they have also made four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament in their respective sport as well.

  However, the hockey team has consistently been one of the top dogs in NCAA hockey, as the NCAA Hockey tournament is limited to just 16 teams, while the basketball NCAA Tournament is expanded to a total of 68 teams. The success of the Friars hockey team, along with the excitement that comes with attending a Friars hockey game, is what makes me follow the hockey team once the winter sports begin.

   The Friars are coming off a season, in which they went 22-12-5, but were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. With 11 upperclassmen returning this year, including nine players who were selected in their respective NHL Drafts, it is very likely the Friars will make a fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Divison I Hockey Tournament. The Friars may not be as hyped as they have been in recent years, but I can easily see them capturing another National Championship trophy.

by The Cowl Editor on November 2, 2017

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By Chris McCormack ’18

Sports Staff

   The winter sports season is arguably the biggest season for Providence College. With two of our programs on the national stage, it is hard to overlook it as one of the better seasons. Both the Men’s Hockey and Men’s Basketball Teams are ranked in the preseason rankings.

   PC men’s hockey currently sits at number six in the USCHO.com rankings. Men’s basketball is currently ranked number 23 according to ESPN’s preseason power rankings. That said, it is time to settle a long discussed debate of which winter sport’s team is the most exciting.

   In an attempt to take nothing away from all the winter athletes, it is only right to say that our men’s basketball team takes the cake for most exciting. With most of the team returning from last year and the addition of three highly touted recruits, including a top 40 recruit in Makai Ashton-Langford ‘21, it is hard to see a situation where they would not be the most exciting. Kyron Cartwright ‘18 looks to make a strong case for best point guard in the country while also trying to get the team to a Big East Championship and make a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament.

   The Big East is wide open this year as there is no team that is clearly above and beyond better than the rest of the field. That said, with the talent PC has on this roster and the anticipation of all of our students, it is not out of the question for this team to make a run.

     By taking all this into consideration, it makes sense to call this team the most exciting of all winter sports. This team’s roster has the potential to be the best Friars basketball team in a while, and given the phenomenal coaching ability of Ed Cooley, the whole Friar family should be excited for this year’s season.

by The Cowl Editor on October 7, 2017

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by Jack Belanger ’21

Sports Staff

   I wish I could proclaim the Patriots as “America’s Team,” but most of the country would be quick to disagree. While the Pats have been the best team recently, outside of New England they are probably one of the most disliked teams.

   Being “America’s Team” is more than just being the best, you also have to have fans from all around the U.S. root for you at some point, while having a consistently strong home fan-base. The Green Bay Packers edge out the Pats because, unless you are a die-hard Chicago Bears fan, nobody really hates the Pack nor consistently roots for them to lose.

   Green Bay fits the bill as “America’s Team” for a variety of reasons that help them edge out all the other 31 teams from the product on the field to the attention off it.

   First, the Packers have consistently been one of the best teams on the field in recent years, making the playoffs for the past eight seasons while winning a Super Bowl during that run. Being one of the best teams in the league is key to be a favorite since nobody wants to root for a perennial loser (sorry, Cleveland).

   But they also have not had a dynasty where people are hoping they lose. Behind the success is Aaron Rodgers, one of the most exciting players to watch with his ability to pull off a big play when needed.

   Off the field, one of the more likeable features about Green Bay is they are publicly owned by many stockholders and are run by a board of directors. This means the team does not have to worry about a single owner who is the face of the franchise (i.e. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys).

   Green Bay has one of the strongest fan bases in the league despite being one of the smallest markets. Deflated balls or not, the Packers have not been accused of cheating, leaving no room for people to question their success.

   While the greatest quarterback and coach may very well reside in Foxboro, it’s hard to portray anyone in Green Bay as a villain in the league.

by The Cowl Editor on September 28, 2017

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by Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Staff

   Despite the tumultuous past couple of seasons, the Bruins do have a strong shot at becoming this year’s Stanley Cup Champions. Last year they finished with a third place position in the Atlantic Division, just behind Montreal and Ottawa, and clinched themselves a playoff seed, which unfortunately ended rather early with an upset by Ottawa as they took the series in six games.

   However, this season the Bruins are already showing promise that they will be able to produce a strong and successful season.

   With newly hired coach Bruce Cassidy, the Bruins have put together a team that reflects the ever-changing pace of the NHL. With an emphasis on younger and faster players that have an offensive-minded strategy, the Bruins have their picks from many of their young prospects that are making names for themselves in the preseason.

   They are also putting together a stronger defensive team with players such as newcomer Charlie McAvoy, who was drafted in the first round by the Bruins and was the top defenseman for Boston University.

   The Bruins are also able to have an incredible depth on both the defensive and offensive fronts in returning players such as Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and David Pastrnak. Bergeron especially, as he was the NHL’s top ranked defensive forward last season.

   On top of having two solid first and second lines, the Bruins will also be able to present a solid third line this year, which will include former Providence College player Noel Acciari.

   The Bruins will also have better goaltending this year as they are able to roster two solid goalies. Tuukka Rask is obviously their top goalie, but because the team now also has Anton Khudobin, he will not have to overexert himself by playing 65+ games this season like he has in previous seasons. Having Khudobin makes it possible for Rask to have a breakout season and have the capability for a stronger playoff push to the Cup.

  While the odds are against them, these factors combined create a strong Cup-winning team in the Boston Bruins.

 

by The Cowl Editor on September 28, 2017

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by Jack Belanger ’21

Sports Staff

   There was a buzz like no other down in Tennessee last year when the eighth-seeded Predators made a memorable run all the way to game six in the Finals. While the team was not flashy on paper, “Smashville” was led by a strong, physical core on defense and spectacular goal-tending from Pekka Rinne.

   With the majority of the team’s core returning plus some new additions, the Preds will be hungry to get back to the finals.

   While Nashville’s defense gets most of the glory, their top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Viktor Arvidsson is as good of a first-line as you can find. With all three in their prime, you can expect around 55+ points from each.

   To counteract the loss of Mike Fisher, the Predators signed Nick Bonino from Pittsburgh to give the team a veteran presence on the second line. They will be relying on young players like Colton Sissons and Pontus Aberg to continue their strong postseason play to give the team scoring options on the second and third lines.

   Nashville’s defense will be the reason they win the title this year. While offensive-minded Ryan Ellis is out for six months, P.K. Subban and Roman Josi will anchor the defense.

   Once Ellis comes back, the defense could look better than last year as the team added a physical player in Alexei Emelin, who will be strong fifth defender. Rinne proved he was an elite goaltender last year in the playoffs and will have a strong year as he has showed no signs of slowing down.

   While teams like the Oilers, Blackhawks, and Ducks have stronger forward lines than Nashville, nobody can match-up with their defense. Their offense will be able to produce winning numbers while Rinne will make sure they have a chance to win every game.

   If the Predators play to the potential we all saw last year, look for Smashville to be raising the Stanley Cup come June.

by The Cowl Editor on September 21, 2017

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by Ethan Ticehurst ’18

Sports Staff

     The most impressive team on campus so far this semester has been the Providence College Men’s Soccer Team. With strong core players returning from last year’s run to the NCAA tournament, the team is looking to build upon that momentum to be even better this year. Despite a current record of 2-4-1 for the season, the Friars should look even stronger when they get into the thick of Big East play in a month or so.

     The biggest bright spot for this team is the stellar play of goakeeper Colin Miller ’18, who has kept the Friars competitive in many games throughout his career with some amazing saves. Of course, Miller is not the only factor spurring this team to greatness. There is a great sense of teamwork surrounding the squad as they move around the field. Everyone seems to be clicking and working together for a common goal. While there are players who stand out, it is clear that all players are important in the process of scoring each goal.

     The last advantage that men’s soccer has this year is a dedicated fan base. Last year’s successful season and a newer stadium have led to huge attendance numbers for the first few home games of the year. The students are coming out in droves to attend their games, filling up almost all of the seats in Anderson Stadium. The team plays better when they know that there are people out there supporting them and the students have not been shy about their support at all.

     All of these factors are reasons why at the end of the season, our men’s soccer team will own the best record in Friartown.

by The Cowl Editor on March 16, 2017

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by Meaghan Cahill ’20

With Providence College being the home to so many excellent athletes, picking an MVP is quite the challenge. However, with that being said, Erik Foley ’19 had a standout season this year as a forward for the Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

Coming off his freshman year, where he harbored a total of 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) and won the Rev. Herman Schneider, O.P. Award, Foley is the Friars’ leading goal scorer, with a total of 15 goals this season. In all of Hockey East, Foley is ranked amongst the Top 20 scoring leaders for this season. In terms of assists and total overall points, Foley falls second in both with 19 assists and a total of 34 points. Foley also had a +/- rating of +17 during the regular season, which is third best on the team. This sophomore also has the most game-winning goals on the team throughout the season, which goes to show just how beneficial he is to Friars Hockey.

Foley, who was the Winnipeg Jets’ 78th overall draft pick, also took his skills beyond Friartown this season as a member of the U.S.A.’s World Juniors Team, where he won a gold medal. And while they do not compare to a gold medal, Foley has also received many weekly nods from Hockey East.

Foley has been a key player all season for the Friars, demonstrating his skill on both the collegiate and national level, which is why he should be considered the Friars’ MVP.

by Max Anderson ’18

Perhaps the biggest question on Friars fans’ minds heading into the 2016-2017 basketball season was how the team was going to replace Kris Dunn ’16.  After all, how do you replace perhaps the greatest player to ever put on a Friar jersey?  The answer to that question lies in point guard Kyron Cartwright ’18, who is coming off his best season ever here at PC.  In a year where the Friars were supposed to regress greatly due to the losses of Dunn and forward Ben Bentil ’18, Cartwright has been everything Friar fans could have asked for, and then some.  Not only is Cartwright averaging double-digit points, but his 6.7 assists per game is the fourth best mark in the nation and shows how Cartwright can not only score himself, but also can put his teammates in position to score as well.

Cartwright is not just limited on the offensive side of the floor either; his lightning quick speed has him averaging over one steal per game, and has contributed to a Friars defense that ranks in the top 50 nationally for points allowed per contest.  Cartwright’s incredible play when rewarded last week was the Big East named him the most improved player in the conference, as well as placing him on the All-Big East second team with fellow teammate Rodney Bullock ’18.  The Friars are heading to their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament, and without Cartwright’s contributions, the road would have been much rockier for the team.

by The Cowl Editor on March 2, 2017

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NBA by Ethan Ticehurst ’18

The only time I have ever fallen asleep in the middle of watching sports involved the New York Islanders and the Montreal Canadiens. I had originally sat down in front of the TV figuring that my love of Providence College hockey would translate to the NHL. This was the worst assumption I have ever made. I didn’t know any of the players, no one had scored by the third period, and the puck was incredibly difficult to follow.

While I was sitting there, fighting a losing battle against my drooping eyelids, I started to think about the NBA instead and the comparison started. Even those who don’t follow basketball can hear the names LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant and know that these people are important basketball players. After Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby, I was tapped out on hockey stars.

Thinking of Jordan and Bryant led me to think about the dynasties that those two have led and all the other ones that have happened in NBA history. The ’90 Bulls. The 2000s Lakers. The ’60s Celtics. The present Warriors and Cavaliers. Switching my focus to the NHL, I remembered that maybe the Islanders had been good once at some indeterminate point in the past?

The NBA will always have more of a cultural impact on the United States than the NHL. If you are a big hockey fan and you would rather live in a place that values hockey as much as you do, let me tell you about Canada.

NHL by Lauren Altmeyer ’17

The National Hockey League is, without a doubt, more fun to watch than the NBA. With 60 minutes of nonstop action, thrilling goals, and exhilarating fights, there is never a dull moment in a hockey game. Players like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, and Connor McDavid are among some of the greatest athletes in the world and will someday be grouped with hockey legends.

Not to mention that NHL players are some of the toughest athletes out there. During the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, Boston Bruins forward Gregory Campbell finished his shift on a broken leg and then skated off the ice on his own, while Patrice Bergeron played with a broken rib, a separated shoulder, and a punctured lung. In the 2011 playoffs, Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning broke his nose and missed no more than six minutes of the game. Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley’s heart stopped on the bench in 2014, and as soon as he was revived, he asked if he could finish the game. Meanwhile, during the 2014 NBA Finals, Lebron James had to be carried off the court due to a leg cramp. The NHL players push through these injuries for the glory of winning the Stanley Cup, sports’ hardest trophy to win. The outcome is always unpredictable and always fun to watch.

So if you’re looking to watch overpaid athletes with  a low pain tolerance, the NBA is for you. But if you’re looking to watch the world’s toughest athletes play the fastest team sport, the NHL awaits.