Sorry, Tony, I should have known better

My deepest apologies to Tony Almeida. For now.

As I was watching the DVR of “24″ last night at 11:00, I couldn’t help but notice that I had no interest in checking out hockey scores until the show was over. I didn’t realize that there were only two games on, both involving Western Conference teams, until later. But still, that Jack Bauer has an eerie hold over me. You won me back, “24″ writers.

Just a couple things to chew on.

Amy Moritz wrote a brief piece on Big Four basketball venues and what you can expect at each. As a guy who often drags his kids out to see the Big Four New Little Three of UB, Canisius and Niagara, I think the article is long overdue. College hoops has a long history here in Western New York, and I am constantly amazed at how few people show up at any of the games. I have friends who look at me like I am nuts when I tell them I took the boys to a Canisius game. Where, they ask. Usually followed closely by Why?

Easy. For $30 I can entertain my two oldest boys with Division I basketball (even if Koessler still looks like a high school gym) that is about a five minute drive from my house. With costs that low it doesn’t matter if you have to leave a little early for something or if the game blows (like the Canisius men’s team often does). You’re also supporting the locals.

I enjoy taking the kids to UB more, but I think they are doing parents a disservice in some ways. It’s at least $50 to take my two to a game, and while the atmosphere more often resembles that of a real Div I school than Canisius does, it’s still a steep price to pay for kids who really don’t understand the game. UB would be well served to consider selling youth-priced tickets like Niagara does. I would go to more games, but it doesn’t make the most financial sense. (Incidentally, it’s usually worth going to see them play the Bobcats, as they are this Saturday at 4:00).

I’ve only been to Niagara twice in recent memory for basketball, and over the past ten seasons they have certainly been the most fun team to watch. They do offer kids pricing on seats ($5 off) so it costs me $20 to take the boys. Problem is Niagara is a haul for me, so what I save in tickets I might blow in gas. Still, the atmosphere in terms of the fans is probably the best available to us. Sadly, the last time I was in Olean for a Bona game was 1991. Back then, they definitely had a great student section, but I understand it has fallen off the last four years. Still, I should get back.

My advice: if you’re in Niagara County, take advantage of cheap Niagara tickets. And don’t be intimidated by going into “the City” and checking out a Canisius game. You’re completely safe on game nights, but I wouldn’t go parking too far off campus, if you know what I mean. And once a year hit Alumni Arena for a big UB game. Bring the kids if you have ‘em, and if not you’ll always have some really obscure Canisius and Niagara players to reference to impress your friends.

- In other news, the Bruins placed Phil Kessel on IR with mono. Doesn’t mono take about a month from which to recover? Shouldn’t this be getting more attention? If Pominville was going out for four weeks with a bum ankle it would be all over the NHL news. Just so you know, the Bruins play thirteen games in the next month. Marco Sturm went under the knife for knee surgery yesterday, Patrice Bergeron has been out with a concussion for some time, and Milan Lucic is hurting as well. Just to note, the Sabres are nineteen points behind Boston. Yikes!

- I’m glad Chris Butler is staying up. Don’t be afraid to do something with all those assets, Buffalo. Bucky is correct in that regard, and now is not the time to be timid. Of course, I notice he’s the one who still brings up that the Sabres should have seen their run of five injured defensemen in the Carolina series coming so it’s pretty tough to win with him.

- I was going to write about this earlier, but something told me I should check to see if the Roost had mentioned it. Glad I did. Still, I have some thoughts on it and will expand on those later. But let’s just say that the contracts given to Drury and Briere, while not bad all on their own, are going to haunt their respective teams for years to come because of the cap positions in which those teams find themselves.

- I just went and checked out the Bisons schedule for the first time this year. Man, I hate the Mets.