http://merciad.mercyhurst.edu/sports6.html

The above link is a news article featured in my college's weekly newspaper and online paper site. This year, me and a good friend of mine decided to take on a tough task. We decided to jump start a broadcast for Mercyhurst ACHA D1 hockey. At first, our discussions were to do live radio feeds. We didn't get that type of publicity. We took it a step beyond that. We went big time with a local television station run out of our school's communication department. HurstTV, Ch. 19, in Erie, Pennsylvania, is now the new home of the Mercyhurst Lakers ACHA D1 Men's Club hockey team.

Yes, I said Club Hockey team. Granted, the first thing people say are things like, "Club hockey isn't real hockey" or "Oh, it's not the NCAA men's team?" John Baranowski, my broadcast partnet, decided to gain some respect for the program. Last year, I was taken on as Video Coach for the squad, and it was a low budget type of deal. This year, with the television broadcast, we have given my Video Coordinating and Coaching position a whole new dynamic. I am doing color commentating for the broadcasts (with a few games here and there with Play-by-Play which is usually done by Baranowski). I tell you, this is the most fun I've had in my whole life, and it gives you more respect, appreciation, and understanding for the game. But, my main reason for jump starting this broadcasting effort is primarily for the players and their families. Their families deserve the opportunity to see their boys and the successes of their upbringing in the hockey world and as adults.

Starting in January, I'm going to be adding a segment to the broadcasts during the intermissions called "Lacing Up the Skates with David Stearns." I'll be doing like a Cool Shots style interview off and on the ice with the players individually so that the viewing audience can see the players for more than just what they are on the ice. College athletes do a great job of balancing their lives on and off the ice, and I felt that it needed to be recognized.

And of course, I'm endeavoring into the hockey world even further by reaching out to the populous of Erie, PA and the colleges who receive Ch.19 outside of Mercyhurst, the chance to catch up on NHL hockey. I'm going to be premiering a new show called "Hockey Week in Review with Rant Man and Johnny B." This show will be a half hour feature on many topics in the NHL along with recapping highlight games of the week.

So, all in all, I thought I'd give you all a glimpse into the world of the ever so busy David Stearns the Rant Man, and all the fun things I do in the hockey world. If you're interested in knowing more about the Mercyhurst Lakers, you can check out their website at: http://hurstathletics.cstv.com/sports/c-hockey/mery-c-hockey-body.html

If you'd like to catch me in action doing play-by-play, and you're in the Buffalo area, Friday January 18th, 2008, at the AMHERST PEPSI CENTER, I'll be there to broadcast the matchup between the University of Buffalo Bulls and my Mercyhurst Lakers!

Any questions, comments, don't be afraid to email me @ NHLhockeyrant@hotmail.com

This is for my Sabres followers. I figure I could fill you in on what I think of dropping a game to both the Ducks and Kings:

Well, after giving it hard to the Carolina Hurricanes before hitting the tarmac at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, you would think the Sabres being winners in 6 of their last 7 games prior to boarding the plane could carry the momentum. Things didn't turn out to be so. Coming off a 4-1 loss where the Sabres grabbed a relatively early 1-0 lead against the Ducks, and then the next night Buffalo gets pummeled by the slumping Kings 8-2, where do they go from here? Well, obviously, into San Jose.

What concerns me the most at this point is that the Sabres took on the weaker teams of the Pacific in the last two games. The Ducks were merely 5-4-1 in their last ten games, and the Kings were a measly 2-7-1. Now, the next game will be against a stronger, 7-1-2 in their last ten games, San Jose Sharks team. The problem? They're getting hot like they should have been in the beginning of the season and carry some big fire power from Thornton, Cheechoo, and Marleau. Though Cheechoo and Marleau are having a slow start this season, Thornton is getting fired up with a team leading 12 goals and 22 assists.

Ok, enough with the scare tactics. The good news is that the Sharks playing the Phoenix Coyotes the night before they play the Sabres. Why is this good news? The Phoenix Coyotes will, by chance, tire out the Sharks before they take on the Sabres (Please, Bryzgalov, let them win, but make it tough). It seems as though the league has a weird way of showing its difference in parity among teams. When a team loses one night, expect them to play like hell the next. That's where I find that if the Sharks win out on Friday, the Sabres will pound them on Saturday.

Desperate teams will play with desperate measures. The Sabres couldn't do that tonight against the Kings considering they starting out with the cold Thibault in net. Will the Sabres go will Miller on Saturday? Of course they will! Do I think Thibault should be blamed solely for tonight's loss? I think he deserves 50% of the blame. Which leads me to my big question: Do the Sabres make a trade at this point in the season to pick up a strong offensive forward? Or do they trade for a top defenseman? Or...do they not even trade at all?

I think Rochester is deep enough for the pickings. Why not try out someone on the point like Mike Funk or Andrew Orpik? Why do I suggest those two in particular? Because size does seem to matter in my mind of defensive zone coverage. Punishing the man with the puck can help create offensive breakouts. You take out the offense of your opponent, let you faster forwards sweep in and take control of the defensive zone breakout, and you'll see some odd man rushes. We need intensity on defense, folks. There's no doubt about it. Brian Campbell is doing a fine job. Jaro Spacek can do great things in the offensive zone, but when it comes to playing defensive hockey in the D-zone, he'll run around like a headless chicken. Until Lindy reintegrates Dimitri Kalinin and Henrik Tallinder, try out some size on defense to toughen things up. Maybe then can our offensive talent show their stuff as the defense crushes the opposition. Think about it.

Of course, many of you critics will tell me, "Lindy's system is fine. It just needs some fine tuning." The Sabres don't have the offensive talent anymore, and our defense is crumbling at the hands of newly constructed offensive super teams. They need to reform now before it's too late. I don't care if the Sabres are 6-4-0 in their last ten, the team is in the basement of the Northeast Division...BEHIND TORONTO! I think Buffalo is doing fine coming back from the very shaky start, but maybe they do need a little something extra. Or I could be dead wrong, and maybe Kalinin and Tallinder are the missing links...Teppo Numminen, get well soon (faster is better). The Sabres need your leadership here, Tep. They need your skill, but mostly your leadership to lead this team through adversity.

Oh, and a long distance "Welcome back!" to Scott Niedermayer. I can't believe it took you 5 months to figure out how to say the word "Yes" or "No". I understand it's a tough decision, but now you think coming back will save the team. No, I doubt that. Temmu Selanne, if you're reading this, "Congrats on the new baby"..."PS.- If you're short on cash because of the new kid, come back and play for the Ducks." Now there is a guy you should be talking to. This guy is what can fix the team. Oh, and, of course, Dustin Penner. Well, the Sabres gave the Ducks some confidence after their 4-1 win. Now lets see if Burke's team can roll with it.