Which blogger will win a free DVD?

Since it is the NHL playoffs and New Jersey has been divided by sports again, I wanted to bring to your attention two great sports bloggers both from New Jersey, one of whom writes all things surrounding the New Jersey Devils and the other who writes about the Philadelphia Flyers.

John Fischer of the blog, In Lou We Trust, which is named after New Jersey Devils' General Manager and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Lou Lamoreillo, is from Middlesex County and also a New York Giants fan in addition to pulling for the Devils.

Travis Hughes of Broad Street Hockey, which is named after Broad Street in Philadelphia, as well as the Broad Street Bullies, is a total Philly sports fan, even listing the expansion Philadelphia Union of the MLS as a favorite of his.

They write for the grassroots fan network, SB Nation and when I tell you that it's some of the best sports analysis that I've read, that would be an understatement. It is true that when I was younger on field trips, I still remember going into the offices of the Star Ledger and the Trenton Times and hoping I would see Rich Chere or Mark Eckel respectively. And most of the beat writers' articles are linked on these blogs. But the number crunching and stats compilations these bloggers sometimes pull off is quite breathtaking. The fan interaction options also highlight the experience and its part of the whole (Sports Blog) Nation's philosophy.

Now the two are debating back and forth about this series, Devil and Flyer things on the ice, but also off the ice as well.

So, here's the deal. If the Devils win, I'm going to send a free copy of our DVD to Fischer. If it's the Flyers, I will send one to Hughes. And because I am a big Phillies and Devils' fan, I own sports things they both might like - I will also include a little slice of paraphernalia, probably an old hockey or baseball card or some other form of nostalgia as well with the DVD.

In the meantime, check our their blogs and also the many contributors they have that keep it all running so well. And cheer for your favorite team.

Devils and Flyers score hattrick - split New Jersey for 3rd time in 16 months

I'll have more on this, but it's been 3 times in the playoffs now in 16 months time. Wow.

First it was the Giants and Eagles in Jan. of 2009 and the NFL Playoffs.

Then, it was the Phillies and Yankees in the 2009 MLB World Series.

Now, it's the Philadelphia Flyers playing against the New Jersey Devils in the NHL playoffs. It's hockey, it's the 1st Round and thus . . . not as important to New Jerseyans, I'm suspecting.

But since hockey is my favorite sport, it's BIG for me. And I'm calling this: the tiebreaker.

More to come . . . I will be at Game 1 in Newark and Game 3 in Philly.

Director Kevin Smith says that anyone from Jersey should be a Devils' fan

Amen. Alleluia, praise the lord. I've ranted on this enough. Kevin Smith has said that he doesn't get anyone who doesn't root for the Devils if you live in NJ. Read the Yahoo Puck Daddy Blog here. . . it is worth while if you love Jersey and especially hockey as well.



I will summarize my feelings shortly below:

My father was a Reds' fans and my mom as Cubs' fan - because my dad was from Southwestern Ohio and my mom was from a suburb of the Windy City. Jersey doesn't have a baseball team - so I rooted for the Phillies. I threw my dad's Reds cap out at 4 (when we lived in Ewing) and put on a Phillies' cap - because that was the closest city to us.

Jersey HAS a hockey team and appropriately, I'm a Devils' fan since I have always lived here. My dad and I agree on that (he's not from Columbus). I'm 31, and was 11 when the Devils made their playoff run in 1988.

Ranger fans are allured by the city - pure and simple. The parent argument (like, my father was a Ranger fan - so I have to be) doesn't stick to me for the reasons that I mentioned above. I just tell the Ranger fans who live in NJ (and more importantly grew up here) to remember your Jersey blood when the New Yorkers laugh at you as you board the NJ Transit back to NJ.

My whole point is that I DON'T see how anyone born or raised in NJ UNDER the age of 35 can be a Rangers' fan (with the exception of South Jerseyeans who are Philly fans and can't get the Devils on TV). The Devils were already here. And a Jersey team should be enough . . . especially with 3 recent Stanley Cups! Kevin Smith has come out and said it . . . why can't we all?

Well, up next for me, I'm in the process of creating a joke blog on how we can help our brothers and sisters in NJ, who happen to be Ranger fans, ease their transition . . . and offering them moral support . . . .in their eventual move to New York. That's right, I said it.

DMV links, bridge toll & parking information . . . and even links of reliable movers. Everything to help our dear friends move to where their heart really is - NYC. . . that's why I've been gone from blogging so long, but Devil fans - look at it as a Christmas present coming soon.

Flyer fans - no gripes here - you're safe in South Jersey . . though Smith does have some gripes with you . . . I know . . . it's a long ride up to Newark . . .