We all know that no one is perfect.  We also all know that I LOVE pointing that out to you each and every Friday.  Well, today’s no different.  This week’s FAIL is a combination of awesome sports reporting and some dimwitted ones.  And here we go…

First, let’s check out the Charlotte Bobcats’ Facebook page!

(Image via Deadspin.com)

I guess someone learned that you shouldn’t allow readers to add their own answers, huh?

Let’s hop on over to Los Angeles where sports are thriving…wait… » Continue reading “Friday FAIL: Fun With Graphics!”

Since the playoffs are here for the NHL writers we decided that this week’s Tune In Tuesday would revolve around songs associated with the Playoffs.Specifically the goal songs for each team currently in the 2011-2012 Playoffs.

1. New York Rangers

Every time Prust, Callahan and Dubinsky light the lamp at the Madison Square Garden, fans cheer along with this lovely rendition.

» Continue reading “Tune In Tuesday: NHL Playoffs”

With the playoffs here for the National Hockey League, all of the Aerys NHL writers teamed up to compile a list of motivational men from our playoff teams. That’s right, we are bringing you motivation from sixteen different teams. What’s not to like?

For those non-hockey fans, after this post, you will understand where our love and devotion to our teams comes from. I promise.  Two posts and 156 comments later, this is what we bring to you:

What is not to love about this 30 year old Swede? Seriously.(Henrik Lundvquist)

Starting in the East we have Henrik Lundvquist of the New York Rangers. Lundvquist is 6’1″ and 195lbs and plays for the number one team in the Eastern Conference. Through 69 games played this season he had 39 wins and 18 losses, with only 5 games needing extra minutes and was ranked among the top THREE goaltenders in the entire National Hockey League. If you don’t find that impressive, then you may want to reconsider reading the rest of this article.

Next on the hot seat we’ll take a look at Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. Granted there wasn’t a whole hell of a lot to choose from because, well, it’s the Senators. Nonetheless the man to drool over is 21-year old Norris Trophy nominee Erik Karlsson. This kid has been phenomenal this season for the Sens, leading all NHL defensemen in points with 78 as 19 of them are goals and 59 are assists. Karlsson is one of the most fluid defensemen I have ever witnessed play and isn’t bad to look at either. Take a look for yourself.

That crooked half-smile, yeah, who wouldn't die for that? (Erik Karlsson)

Moving on we shall take a look at the currently atrocious Pittsburgh Penguins. All season long they have done tremendously without their Captain Sidney Crosby, but it seems that the Playoffs presented the Penguins with their match as they went down 3-0 in the series today against Philadelphia. However, despite the efforts of the team (or lack thereof) there is one player who stands out in all Penguin fans minds. Blonde-haired, blue-eyed Jordan Staal. Seriously, what isn’t there to love about a blue-eyed blonde combination? That is genuinely almost every person’s dream. The fact that he looks good with long hair or short hair proves that he is even more perfect, especially for the sake of this post.  However, we also have to give an honorable mention to a member of the Pittsburgh Squad as Sidney Crosby‘s voluptuous rear end made the nominee board and is too fantastic to pass up. » Continue reading “Monday Morning Motivation:NHL Playoff Series”

Henrik Lundqvist is famous for his work between the pipes as the oft-unbeatable goalie of the New York Rangers.

With a save percentage of .940 and seven shutouts on the season, one might think that the King works so hard on the ice that he doesn’t have time for anything else.

False. Every once in awhile he takes off the goalie gloves to learn some new chords.

Yes, this dreamboat of a hockey player also plays guitar. In a band. With John McEnroe.

On Wednesday, Lundqvist and McEnroe’s band, “The Noise Upstairs”, performed at a music venue in New York City as part of a “Rock of Dreams” concert. The event benefitted MSG’s Garden of Dreams Foundation and the Johnny Mac Tennis Project.

Lundqvist said after the event:

“It was great, and I am so happy that it happened…It was sold out, and I don’t have the final numbers, but I know we raised a lot of money for The Garden of Dreams and the Johnny Mac Tennis Project. That was the goal: to have a fun night and to raise a lot of money.”

In case the picture above wasn’t enough for you, there are more where that came from.  So, King Henrik, Most Valuable Popstar? (Just kidding, he’s a rockstar, but MVR just doesn’t look right).

And in bonus Lundqvist coverage, guess who just announced he’s going to be a dad!

It’s finally here! Outside of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the annual Winter Classic game is one of the biggest stages that the National Hockey League has in the United States. This year’s outdoor game will take place in Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park this afternoon at 3 pm EST on NBC.

This year’s participating teams are the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers. HBO’s 24/7 Road To The Winter Classic has given hockey fans and newbies alike an unprecedented view inside the game. It has also given everyone a view of the players involved both on and off the ice.  These men are skilled, strong, and look damn fine in their suits. Enjoy some hockey motivation and be sure to tune in to the Winter Classic!

Rangers Defenseman Brian Boyle

» Continue reading “Monday Morning Motivation: NHL Winter Classic Edition”

On Thursday October 27th, Madison Square Garden finally reopened its doors to hockey fans after major renovations forced the New York Rangers to play their first seven games on the road. The updates to the lower bowl are part of multi-year updates being done in the NHL and NBA off-seasons, while the New York Liberty played their WNBA games in nearby New Jersey.

Extensive work in this phase began in April, and the lower areas of the arena have practically been gutted and re-done completely. Some of the features of the “new” Garden are updated locker rooms, concourse areas, retractable seats for NBA games (whenever those may start up again!), and the new architecture I’m most excited about: catwalks above the ice so fans can watch the action overhead. Lord knows I can’t afford season tickets, but I feel better about my vantage point when you throw the word “catwalk” in there.

While the overhaul is being touted as a “transformation”, Madison Square Garden is no stranger to complete upheaval, and is certainly old enough to need some facelifts. The current location is also known as “MSG IV”, and opened in 1968 after historic Pennsylvania Station was demolished in favor of moving the rails to below the city.  It’s the oldest active sports facility in the New York metro area, but the previous Gardens were pretty impressive too. The first two were located at Madison Square (hence the name, of course), but the latter two were moved farther uptown to 49th street and 31st streets respectively.

We’ve previously looked at this Garden’s more memorable moments. This week, let’s flashback to the first three versions of the World’s Most Famous Arena:

MSG I, circa 1876

MSG II, circa 1890

MSG III, circa 1940