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Tuesday, May 6, 2014.
The Alaska Aces’ calling card during these Kelly Cup Playoffs has been the first period, as they came into Game 3 of the ECHL National Conference semifinals having outscored their opponents 11-3 during the first 20 minutes. But it was what Alaska did to the Idaho Steelheads in the third period that swamped the home team in CenturyLink Arena last night. The Aces potted a pair of goals about 2½ minutes apart early in the third to break open a close game, then held off several Steelheads surges down the stretch with the help of goalie Gerald Coleman. The visitors won it 5-2, grabbing a two games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven series.
It took Alaska less than two minutes last night to snap Idaho goalie Josh Robinson’s scoreless streak at 205 minutes, 22 seconds. The Aces’ Tommy Mele tallied 1:55 into the first period before the Steelheads’ Charlie Dodero would get an equalizer 2½ minutes later. But Alaska proceeded to score four of the next five goals to close things out. Game 3 is set for tomorrow night in CenturyLink Arena. Maybe the Steelies have the Aces right where they want ‘em—after all, Idaho was also down two games-to-one to Colorado 13 days ago. Then again, this Alaska team is too good for those kinds of assumptions.
NFL Draft hype locally has been all about Boise State’s Demarcus Lawrence, but Bronco offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr. is on the board, too. The latest analysis of Leno as a draft prospect at NFL.com: “Long-armed, soft-bodied college left tackle most ideally suited for a role as a versatile, swing backup in a zone-blocking scheme. Has not learned how to translate his athletic ability and explosion to the field, yet possesses enough length, agility and untapped talent to find a role for a patient offensive line coach. Could warrant interest inside as a guard or center where he has help on each side.” NFL.com projects Leno as a fifth or sixth-round pick. Fellow Bronco Matt Paradis is looking like a lock to get a shot as an undrafted free agent.
More discussion of Shea McClellin’s chances at resurgence in the NFL, this time from Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. Writes Dickerson, “Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery couldn’t resist cracking a smile Thursday when responding to a question about converted linebacker Shea McClellin's new trimmed and toned offseason physique. ‘He looks like an extra from a Dolph Lundgren movie, doesn't he?’ Emery said. ‘He's looking good, looking trim and fit.’” The former Boise State star is getting props for moving to Southern California for 12 weeks in the offseason to train with veteran performance coach Scot Prohaska. McClellin dropped 11 pounds and reduced his body fat by eight percentage points. “McClellin has not been promised a starting job at strong side linebacker,” notes Dickerson. He’ll be competing with at least three others.
UNLV has now had one of its senior football players transfer out due to the Rebels’ ineligibility for bowl games this year for not meeting NCAA minimum Academic Progress Rate requirements. Adonis Smith, a leading candidiate to start at running back for UNLV next season, is exercising his option to leave the program according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Rebel Yell student newspaper reported Smith is heading to Arizona, but the consensus is he’d have to walk on with the Wildcats. The other FBS school with a 2014 bowl ban over APR issues is Idaho, which hasn’t had any members of its senior class depart yet.
Joey Nebeker, turned loose last month by the Boise State basketball program, has elected to transfer to the College of Idaho. The former Melba Mustang, a pre-med major, will fit at C of I in more ways than one. The Coyotes lost some key contributors from last season’s Cascade Conference championship team, so Nebeker has a chance to make an impact right away. The 6-7 forward will be eligible immediately, with three seasons left to play. Nebeker was Idaho's Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior season at Melba in 2012.
Oregon State’s firing of men’s basketball coach Craig Robinson yesterday brought up some “did you know” nuggets regarding the Beavers. If you’re an OSU fan, you know that Robinson was 95-104 in six seasons and did not make an NCAA Tournament. But did you realize the Beavs have not made the Big Dance since 1990? In fact, the last time they won an NCAA Tournament game was under the legendary Ralph Miller in 1982—against Idaho. Oregon State beat the best Vandals team ever, stopping it 60-42 in the Sweet 16 in Provo. Idaho went 27-3 that season with a Big Sky championship and an overtime win over Iowa in the NCAA round of 32. The legendary Don Monson squad was led by Kenny Owens, Brian Kellerman and Phil Hopson.
Stephen Fife’s latest stint with the L.A. Dodgers lasted one game, as he was optioned back to Albuquerque yesterday. Fife took away a no-decision from the Dodgers’ 5-4 loss at Miami Sunday, allowing three home runs. It might be quite a while before the Borah High grad has another opportunity—the Dodgers are preparing to clear another spot on their roster for Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who’s set to come off the disabled list today.
Boise State’s Ty Travis won U.S. Open local qualifying yesterday, firing a four-under 68 at Blue Lakes Country Club in Twin Falls. Alternates are two veteran pros, Joe Panzeri of Meridian and Bronco assistant coach Ryan Hietala. Travis will play his sectional qualifier at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, OR, on June 2. He finished tied for 20th at the Mountain West Championships nine days ago.
More weekend wrap: Boise State’s Emma Bates is only a junior—no telling what she’ll do in the next year. But Bates keeps raising the bar. At the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational at Stanford Sunday evening, she ran the 12th-fastest women's 10,000 meters in NCAA history, clocking 32:20.83. The time broke the Mountain West’s all-time record and destroyed the school record Bates set last year. She was the top collegeiate finisher in the race and was 13th overall in the field of 37 athletes that included past NCAA champions and Olympic medalists. Bates will be off now until the Mountain West Championships next week.
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May 6, 1931: A day I make a note of every year—the day my favorite baseball player of all time was born. Willie Mays is 83 years old today. Mays broke in as a 20-year-old rookie with the New York Giants in 1951, made the most famous catch in World Series history in 1954, and had the best years of his career in San Francisco after the Giants moved West. He ended up with 660 career home runs—fourth on the all-time list behind godson Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth. Willie was the most complete player in the game’s history.
(Tom Scott hosts the Scott Slant segment Sunday nights at 10:30PM on KTVB’s Sunday Sports Extra and anchors five sports segments each weekday on 93.1 The Ticket. He also served as color commentator on KTVB’s telecasts of Boise State football for 14 seasons.)
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