Bad News Bears

We hate to get all Jim Calhoun on you today, but this kind of rankles us: why was Maine forced to play the University of Wisconsin at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee in one of college hockey's Frozen Four semifinals? "It's a tough environment to come into," Maine senior captain Greg Moore told the Boston Herald after the Black Bears were ousted from the NCAA semifinals with a 5-2 semifinal loss to Wisconsin in front of a one-sided crowd last night in Milwaukee. "It's kind of like having an extra guy." Well, yeah. When was the last time you saw a team from Maine in the national spotlight? College hockey is their one shot, and they have to play in someone else's back yard. Anyway, the Badgers advance to Saturday's 59th NCAA championship game against Boston College.

Three reasons we wanted to see the Black Bears advance:

1. It's another chance to watch their goalie, Ben Bishop, who is possibly the tallest goalie ever at 6-foot-7. 2. Maine's pep band is named Bananas and the Naked Five. 3. Notable University of Maine alumni who might have attended the championship game include author Stephen King.

Also, let us use this opportunity to recall possibly the greatest amateur hockey story ever; about the day that a Toronto mom at a pee wee league hockey game got so mad at opposing parents that she took off her top and waved her breasts at them.

Black 'N' Blue: Maine Crowded Out [Boston Herald] Hockey Fans Shaken By Mom's Zeal [Toronto Star] Mom Banned After Flashing Over Officiating [Hockey Refs.com]