Red Wings visit White House

Hockey Betting Lines

10/14/2008 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the second time in his presidential tenure, George W. Bush welcomed the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings to the White House.

"In 2002, the Red Wings were the first NHL team I hosted for a Stanley Cup ceremony," the president said. "Turns out they are the last team I'll be hosting. You guys may be back next year -- but not me."

Bush recognized the young players and the aging veterans of the championship team that beat Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup Finals for Detroit's 11th title, including four in the last 11 seasons.

"Chris Chelios set a record when he played his 248th career playoff game," said Bush. "At 46 years old -- or 46 years young -- Chris is the oldest player to win the Stanley Cup, and the second-oldest player to play in the NHL. That guy is going to play a lot more. I mean, if he can do it age 46, why not 52 like Gordie Howe?"

The president also joked how Kris Draper deflected a puck off his face and into the net in a playoff game against Dallas. Draper lost three teeth because of the goal.

"He is the first player to score a playoff with his teeth," Bush said to laughter. "Those are beauties. But somebody said they wished he'd have kept his Chuck Norris beard."

There was also mention of how forward Darren McCarty overcame a drinking problem to get his life back in order and return to the NHL and celebrate a fourth Stanley Cup championship with Detroit.

"This guy got his life back together, seized the moment, and scored the opening goal in game two of the series against Nashville," said Bush. "That is a stout story."

Bush also joked how some of the players used the Stanley Cup when they got a chance to take it home.

"Several players had young relatives baptized with the Cup," Bush said. "Others let their children use it as a bowl for cereal, for ice cream, and donuts. Tomas Kopecky took it home to Slovakia and used it as a bowl for a special Slovakian broth. No telling what was in that special Slovakian broth.

"Many Red Wings used their time with the Cup to lift the lives of others. Kris Draper took the Cup to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. That must have been a joyous moment for them to see the Cup. Coach (Mike) Babcock took it to visit the disabled residents of a Sherbrooke Community Center. Brian Rafalski took it to a Wisconsin veterans home."

The team honored the president with a pair of Red Wings jerseys, one with the No.43 for the current presidency and the other of No.41 for ex-president George H.W. Bush.

Wwwwincity Hockey Betting News

<< Redskins land former MVP Alexander, add punter
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Redskins added former MVP running back Shaun Alexander to serve as a backup to Clinton Portis on Tuesday. Alexander, 31, was on the free agent market after being waived by the Sea

<< Missouri extends Jamieson's contract
Columbia, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Missouri has signed baseball coach Tim Jamieson to a contract extension that will keep him at the school through the 2013 season. Jamison is 480-329-2 through 14 seasons with the Tig

<< Sabres' Hecht undergoes surgery
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Buffalo Sabres forward Jochen Hecht is expected to be sidelined a couple of weeks after having surgery to repair an injured finger on Tuesday. The injury occurred during Monday's 7-1 thrashing of the New Y

<< Buckeyes' DE Wilson done for season
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ohio State coach Jim Tressel announced Tuesday that defensive end Lawrence Wilson will need surgery after suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday's 16-3 victory over Purdue. This is the

<< Indians DH Hafner undergoes successful shoulder surgery
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday on his right shoulder, which hampered him for the entire 2008 season. The decision for surgery was made a

Giants QB Manning suffers bruised chest >>
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning suffered a bruised chest in a 35-14 loss at Cleveland Monday night. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin didn't offer a prognosis on Manning's condition nor

Gonzalez remains with Chiefs >>
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tight end Tony Gonzalez will remain with the Kansas City Chiefs as the team couldn't work out a trade. Head coach Herm Edwards met with the media as he usually does on Tuesdays and announced just after

Chiefs RB Johnson faces another assault charge >>
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is in hot water again, this time reportedly facing a simple assault charge for pushing a woman at a Kansas City nightclub. The Kansas City Star obtained court and police d

Miettinen, Wild beat Thrashers >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Antti Miettinen scored twice and Andrew Brunette had a goal and an assist as the Minnesota Wild dispatched of the Atlanta Thrashers by a 4-2 margin at Philips Arena. Marian Gaborik added an unass

Louisville's Williams out with knee injury >>
Louisville, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - University of Louisville senior forward Terrence Williams will be sidelined four-to-six weeks after suffering a knee injury in a pickup game. Williams had an MRI exam which revealed a meniscus tear i


Big East Conference odds

Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence

Notre Dame and Louisville appear to have done enough to make the move, so we'll make them locks. The Cardinals, despite a modest RPI, are trending way up and have clinched at least a tie for third in the Big East, which should be more than enough with their pair of big road wins. Villanova got back to .500 and gets back to more solid footing. Syracuse got a very important road win and crippled a fellow contender in the process. West Virginia's fate could be in its hands Tuesday at Pitt.

Work left to do:

Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8.

Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday.

DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ...

West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule.

Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games.

For more March Madness odds go to MySportsbook.com

For more College Basketball betting lines go to BettingExpress.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.