PTS

I'm 32 and still play 1-2 times a week. I moved down to Charlotte two Septembers ago and was fearful that my hockey "career" was over. Luckily I found a great A league that features a bunch of former NHL/AHL/ECHL pros (even former Sabre Jason Dawe). It's really good adult hockey and comparable to the top adult leagues in WNY I was used to playing in. Best part is the rink we play at has a restaurant and bar. The winning team always gets free pizza and pretty much every one ends up drinking there after the games.

Oh boy, what's going on in Niagara Falls? Looks like police have got some Russian/Turkish people surrounded or in custody? Bomb squad called in after suspicious vehicle with Mass plates found. Here's a link to TBN story: http://www.buffalone.../130419039/1002 Looks like police were being precautionary because these suspects might have matched the description of the Boston bomber. With the border so close, better be safe than sorry.

Al Qaeda was apparently training cells in Chechnya. Looking for recruits that look more 'American'.

Not sure if this was posted yet but here's more craziness to this whole story: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/04/18/report-saudi-national-ruled-out-as-suspect-in-boston-marathon-bombings-to-be-deported-on-national-security-grounds-next-week/ With how bad media and reporters have been, I just don't know what to believe anymore. That said President Obama's "non-meeting" with a Saudi official yesterday raises even more questions.

I get where you are coming from but Vanek isn't a soft player. He proved earlier this season that he can carry this team on his own. He's uber-talented but he's not afraid to go into the dirty areas. To me, he is like Drury with far greater skill. Pominville is a poor-man's Perreault. I wish we could keep Pominville, just not as captain. Maybe there is a way to do, but I would think it involves getting a new GM and coach and saying they are picking captains for their team.

I think Pommers is a great player but a horrible captain. Unfortunately history dictates that you can't strip the C off his sweater unless its via a trade. Biggest mistake Ruff made was not making Vanek the captain.

I'll echo your thoughts. The USMNT has come A LONG way and while it may never become like Brazil, I truly believe it can be a consistent top 10 nation. Michael Bradley is a great example that shows we can produce world class skill. I would say Clint Dempsey is also in that boat and Stuart Holden was well on his way before his injuries. Keep producing those type of players while mixing in American-workhorses like Donovan and Zusi and I think that chasm will be bridged sooner than later.

Just watched the episode at lunch today. Man, that one had a lot going on. I still can't figure out which character is my favorite. Probably Boyd. Loved Raylan's line after he shot Tonin's guy. Can they make this show run two hours each week?

There's always money in the banana stand.

Reminds me of our family's bout with the norovirus last January. Our son got sick on a Thursday. He was fine by Friday but that night I felt like I was dying. The next morning my wife was the same. It knocked both of us out for the entire weekend but by Monday morning we both woke up as if nothing was wrong. The best part of the experience was that our 15 month old son (at that time) was basically roaming the house by himself for a day in a half while mommy and daddy were lying on the family room floor taking turns going to the bathroom. Normally he loves getting into trouble but that weekend he was an angel. Probably sensed that something was up with his family. Regrettably, I got the virus again last month almost a year after the first episode. This time it was far more violent but lasted far shorter.

That game on Wednesday was depressing. Where is the attack-styled football that JK was supposed to bring. Maybe we just don't have the talent to play that way. They looked like they were running with cement shoes. For some more depressing news, check out this article on what might have been if Charlie Davies never made that tragic and stupid decision four years ago: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/07/throw-lamenting-what-davies-couldve-been-us Davies was exactly the type of player the US needed and still needs. Gringo: You are absolutely correct about Holden. We need him back ASAP. It's also a shame that Freddy Adu isn't getting his chance. Although from what I read, it seems his attitude is the main issue. He's far and away the most skilled US player. He would give fits to teams like Honduras. The kid has to get his head out of his ass and become a better team player.

By all accounts, I think he steps on the field tomorrow to make it official. He said prior to the Russia game that he is "10,000% commited to the US". We'll take 100% Timmy. I also check out SBI from time to time, gotta love this comment one of the readers posted:

A healthy midfield combo of Donovan, Dempsey, Holden and Bradley would be very dangerous. There is a lot of skill, pace and class among those four players that would make it hard for any opponent. Prior to his injury, Stuart Holden was rated one of the best mids in the EPL and he was trending up. I hope he can regain his form before 2014 because adding him to the mix would make me feel so much better about the team. As for the backline, I think Omar Gonzalez is the future and maybe the present. They do need another shutdown CB (maybe Cameron). Chandler and Johnson should be much better on the flanks then we've seen in the past. It can't be any worse than Bornstein at left back.

I hate that conservative mentality and thankfully I don't think Juergen likes it either. It's not in his DNA. He wants three points every game. If we want to advance further in the World Cup, we have to find a way to win consistently on the road in Central America. Not to take anything away from Hondurus, Costa Rica, Panama, etc as they make the conditions very difficult but we simply need better results if we want to take that next step. Just a reminder that the top three teams make the World Cup with the fourth place team getting a home-and-home series with the winner of the OCEANIA region (aka New Zealand). My Hex Predictions 1. Mexico 2. USA 3. Costa Rica 4. Panama 5. Honduras 6. Jamaica Panama beats New Zealand in play-in leg to advance.

I don't know about you but if there is a bull running at me, I definitely prefer to stand on a concrete ledge with an eight foot drop onto another concrete surface. What were some of these people thinking?

What a great end to one of the best shows on TV. One of the few shows that kept me hooked right from episode 1. This is one series finale JJ Abrams can hang his hat on.

Great episode. Love the various story lines.

Best scene ever.

The only thing Obama's reprogressive policies do is make it harder for people to become rich. That's why the income gap is widening. Less rich people means more poor people.

This country is doomed. I bet you start seeing more and more Hollywood-types running for office -- and winning -- since elections are no longer about actual issues or qualifications.

This! Listen, I love Buffalo and I'm proud to be from Buffalo but my God am I beyond thrilled with my decision to move my family out of WNY last September. I've seen more development in my short time in Charlotte and just across the NC/SC border where I live than the past decade in WNY. Sad but true.

This WGR bashing is crazy. This Bills Franchise is a freaking joke. What do you expect from any media source covering 13+ years of terrible football. Of course the coverage will be negative. As for people asking for changes at WGR, it won't happen. They have terrific ratings and make big bucks in ad sales.

Another good result yesterday. 2-2 against Russia's top squad that hasn't allowed any goals in WC Qualifying including shutting down Portugal. Plus the squad was without Dempsey and Donovan. A few points from the game: 1. Michael Bradley is the most technical and complete soccer player the US has ever produced. His touch, vision, passing, shooting and defending are on another level. He's become world class. 2. Defense is still a major area of concern. Russia controlled large periods of this game. They need to shore up the center backs. I think Omar Gonzalez from LA Galaxy will be one of those to take over that spot in time for 2014. The Galaxy looked lost without him earlier this year when he was injured. 3. I think some are being unfair in saying the US didn't deserve the draw. When US stepped their game up, they had quality possession as well. Additionally, the US gifted Russia both of their goals, especially the first one. What was Williams thinking? 4. For the first time since maybe 2002, there is quality in the youth department. Exciting times ahead. I've been following the USMNT since 1990, it's amazing how far they've come. They got a lot of room for improvement but now it's about fine tuning their system which is why I love having Klinsmann as manager. After a slow start to his tenure, we are definitely seeing a team that is getting much better at attacking. Bradley Goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrVQ8LDP9XA

Are you surprised? Do you know how much overtime these guys are going to lose out on if they allow these volunteers to help? Honestly, it sounds crazy to say but I'm starting to believe those wackos that say this country is within a few generations of separating.

I brought that up on the first page but the resident libs will ignore that number to death.