Hockey’s Most Badass Goalie Masks [50 PICS]

In 1930 Clint Benedict of the Montreal Maroons became the first goalie to don a mask in the NHL. The first mask covered his nose, forehead, cheeks and jaw area. He only wore the mask for two games, he stopped because it hampered his vision.

The goalie mask has come a long way since 1930. In the late 50s and early 60s more and more goalies began wearing protective masks made of fiberglass.

Boston Bruins goalie Gerry Cheevers began the trend of putting marks on his mask. He put stitches on his mask to mark where he was hit by a flying puck. This started the trend of goalies putting artwork on their masks.

Today, with the advances in technology there some badass goalie masks.  Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders has a mask that honors the military and especially Prisoners Of War and those soldiers that are Missing In Action.

Wade Dubielewicz now playing in Germany had a mask that had Yoda from Star Wars on the back of his helmet when he played for Islanders.

Dallas Stars Kari Lehtonen has a new mask that pays tribute to the 1993 movie Tombstone. He has actor Kurt Russell who played Wyatt Earp on one side and Val Kilmer who played Doc Holiday on the other side along with a six-shooter in a holster.

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7 College Bowl Games We’d Like To See in Madden Classic Mode

You know that mode in Madden where you can pick a classic team for the past and pit them head to head with another classic team? ’72 Dolphins vs. ’07 Patriots, ’85 Bears vs. ’92 Cowboys, ’67 Packers vs. ’78 Steelers? Well, with bowl season kicking into high gear, we thought we’d overlook such travesties as the Meineke Car Care Bowl, and focus on bowl games we’d love to see played between two historically epic football teams. The best part? No sponsors! Enjoy this wish list of would be awesome college football bowl games… COMMERCIAL FREE!

’95 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. ’92 Alabama Crimson Tide

The game  between the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers and the 1992 Alabama Crimson Tide would have been a contrast in styles. Nebraska the big powerful team versus the Tide’s speed.

The 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers were one of the most dominant NCAA teams in history.  Nebraska scored over 40 points ten times and over 60 points four times in the 1995 season. Quarterback Tommie Frazier headed the attack  and was helped by running back Lawrence Phillips and fullback Joel Makovicka. The Cornhuskers had a punishing defense. Most of the points scored on the Cornhuskers was on their second and third string when the game was no longer in doubt.

Alabama’s 1992 defense was one of the fastest in NCAA history. This was proven when they totally dominated Miami of Florida 34-13 in the Sugar Bowl to win the Tide’s first national title since 1979.  Alabama was not flashy on offense quarterback Jay Barker was steady and the Tide’s running game was enough to keep the opponents off-balance.  It was the big play defense that scored or gave the offense short fields that propelled Alabama to the national title. The Tide held eleven opponents under fourteen points on the season.

This game would have been close and low scoring but I think Nebraska’s physical style of play would have wore the Tide down in the end.

’84 BYU Cougars vs. ’97 Michigan Wolverines

One of the most controversial title holders was the 1984 BYU Cougars. Many thought because they played in the WAC the schedule was not tough enough for BYU to be considered championship material. 1984 was a funny year in college football all of big time schools had at leat one loss and the Cougars were the only undefeated team.

BYU faced the Michigan Wolverines in the Holiday Bowl and beat the Wolverines 24-17 in tough game. Michigan finished 6-6 and finished tied for sixth in the Big Ten. Critics of BYU had a field day saying they only beat a .500 Michigan team by seven.  Let’s see how they would have done against the 1997 Wolverines.

The 1997 Michigan Wolverines shared the national title with Nebraska. Cornerback Charles Woodson won the Heisman Trophy. Woodson played both ways and scored in about every way you could during the 1997 season.  Michigan’s offense was not flashy quarterback Brian Griese did not make many  mistakes during the season. Defense was the Wolverines bread and butter. They held six opponents under double digits and only gave up 68 points in conference play.

The 1984 BYU Cougars were a passing team. Quarterback Robbie Bosco led the attack. The running game was underrated running back Vai Sikahema was a powerful runner and could have played anywhere. The defense was underrated. The Cougar defense held ten opponents under 17 points.

In all fairness to BYU they were a good team that could have competed against anyone during the 1984 season but they did not have enough to beat the 1997 Wolverines.

’81 Northwestern Wildcats vs. ’01 Duke Blue Devils

Enough of the interesting match ups. Now to a bowl game that would totally suck.  A game of toilet bowl proportions. The game would be the 1981 Northwestern Wildcats and the 2001 Duke Blue Devils. Northwestern lost 34 games in a row during the late 70′s and early 80′s. Many consider the 2001 Blue Devils as the worst ACC team in history.

Northwestern was just pathetic the 0-11 Wildcats got shut out five times and was held to single digits in two other games. The defense was not much better giving 45 points a game. The closest Northwestern came to winning a game that season was the season opener against Indiana losing 21-20. The team was coached by Dennis Green who went on to success at Stanford and The NFL.

The o-11 2001 Duke Blue Devils faced Northwestern in the third game of the season losing 44-7. Duke was horrific on defense giving up 50 points or more five times including the last three games. On offense they could score a little but with a defense like that it did not matter. The offense was the only bright spot on the team averaging 19 points a game.

the 2001 Duke Blue Devils would win this game only because they had a heartbeat on offense.

’09 Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. ’08 Washington Huskies

To say the 0-12 2009 Eastern Michigan Eagles were bad would be an understatement. Let’s be honest you have to be pretty bad to go winless in the Mid American Conference (MAC). The 0-12 2008 Washington Huskies were not supposed to be good but 0-12? No one expected that.

Ron English was in his first year at Eastern and the Eagles were 3-9 in the previous season. So he was expecting a rebuilding year but it turned out to be a nightmare. The Eagles were 0-12 in 2009 and lost the first six games of the 2010 season. Eastern had a little punch on offense averaging 16 points and defense was a disaster giving up about 40 a game.

The 2008 season turned out to be the last for coach Tyrone Willingham. The season turned bad for The Huskies when they lost to BYU 28-27 on a controversial play. Oklahoma smoked them the next week 55-14 and the spirit of the team bottomed out. The low point of the season was when Washington lost to cross state rival Washington State 16-13 in three overtimes. Washington State was 1-10 going into the game. It was called the “Rotten Apple Bowl”.

Just off talent alone Washington would have beat Eastern Michigan by a wide margin.

’02 USC Trojans vs. ’02 Ohio State Buckeyes

At the end of the 2002 college football season a lot of people asked “Who was the real BCS champion? The argument was between a two loss USC team that destroyed Iowa in the Orange Bowl and the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes who defeated defending Miami of Florida in the BCS championship game.

USC had lost two early season games to Washington State and Kansas State then reeled off seven straight to share the PAC-10 title with Washington State. USC was led by Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer and on defense by Troy Polamalu.

Ohio State finished 14-0 and shared the Big Ten championship with Iowa the team USC destroyed. The Buckeyes were led by quarterback Craig Krenzel and freshman Maurice Clarett on offense and on defense all eleven starters played in the NFL.

Although USC lost two games people could see they were and dynasty in the making. Some thought they were better than Ohio State at the end of the season. My opinion Ohio State’s defense would have won the game for the Buckeyes but it would have been close.

’05 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. ’06 Florida Gators

Going into the 2007 BCS championship game Ohio State was a solid favorite over Florida. The Buckeyes had Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and had defeated second ranked Michigan to advance to the title game. Florida was viewed as a solid team that won several close games to get to Glendale to face Ohio State.

The Gators smashed Ohio State 41-14. The Buckeyes scored on the opening kickoff when Ted Ginn returned it 93 yards. From then on it was a massacre. A lot of fans thought the OSU team from the year before was better suited to face the Gators.

The 2005 Buckeyes went 11-2 and lost to national champion Texas by 3 and Penn State who won the Orange Bowl by 7. They had 5 first round picks off of that team. Including Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold and AJ Hawk.

The 2006 Buckeyes had a better record but they were not as talented. The loss of the five first rounders would have made a difference and the 2005 Buckeyes would have at least made the game more competitive and might have won.

’04 Auburn Tigers vs. ’09 Alabama Crimson Tide

The 2004 Auburn Tigers went 13-0 and was left out of the BCS Championship game. Auburn won the Sugar Bowl defeating Virginia Tech The Tigers had a dynamic running game led by Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. Quarterback Jason Campbell was solid and the defense held 10 opponents to 14 points or less during the season. After USC dismantled Oklahoma 55-19. Many thought Auburn was robbed of their chance to win the national title.

The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide left no doubt who was the best team in the country last season. The Tide won several close games during the SEC season but did just enough to face undefeated Florida in the SEC title game and a slot in the BCS Championship. Alabama destroyed Florida 32-13 and then took care of Texas 37-21 to win the national title.

Alabama was led by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and a over powering defense. Coach Nick Saban confused opposing offenses with his various schemes.

In the end Alabama wins this game in a close defensive struggle.

Agree? Disagree? We miss any? Which historic college football bowl game would you like to see? Let us know in the comments or email tips@teamcoed.com.

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Will The “Butler” Do It Again?

The Butler Bulldogs came within a half court shot of winning the NCAA championship. What will the 2010-2011 season hold for the Cinderella story of last season?

Butler lost star guard Gordon Hayward to the Utah Jazz but return a solid cast of players led by forward Matt Howard.  Also returning are starting guards Ronald Nored and Shelvin Mack.

Coach Brad Stevens has brought in an excellent recruiting class led by 6-7 forward Khyle Marshall who is expected to start and pick up some of the slack left by Hayward.

The key to the season is the progress of 6-11 center Andrew Smith. Smith, who showed flashes of a solid player last season would take a lot of pressure off of Howard and give Butler another solid big man.

Butler will be a solid team and will win The Horizon League but another final four run is unlikely.

Duke Favored To Repeat

The Duke Blue Devils are the odds on favorite to repeat as NCAA champions. Coach Mike Krzyzewski finally found a formula to reach the top of the heap once again.

The formula was have three shooters and two bangers underneath the basket.  The shooters were Kyle Singler, John Scheyer, and Nolan Smith.  The bangers were Brian Zoubek and Miles Plumlee. Scheyer and Zoubek graduated but Coach K has more than adequate replacements.

At guard tranfer Seth Curry and freshman sensation Kyrie Irving will give the Blue Devils a dynamic back court with more athletic ability than last seasons team.  Upfront Mason Plumlee brother of Miles will help pound the boards and kick the ball out to Duke’s deadly shooters.

The only problem for Duke is depth. If they can stay healthy there is no reason why they can’t repeat.

Will T.O. & Ochocinco Bungle The Bengals Season?

The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season.  Going into the bye week Cincinnati is 2-3 and will face a very difficult schedule the rest of the way.  With Marvin Lewis entering the 2011 season without a contract, the question must be asked,”Can he keep Chad Ochocinco and TO from destroying this season?”

The first three games out of the bye week will tell the tale.  A road game with Atlanta and two home games versus Miami and Pittsburgh will determine the Bengals playoff fate.

In the first five games the Bengals offense has been inconsistent at best. Quarterback Carson Palmer has struggled.  But in the last game against Tampa Bay running back Cedric Benson had his best game rushing for 144 yards and many are calling for the Bengals to become a running team for the rest of the season. Thus taking away opportunities for Batman and Robin.

If the Bengals run the ball and struggle out of the bye week then you see the complaining begin and with a lame duck coach the season will go down the drain. Maybe the dynamic duo should spend less time tweeting and prepping for their TV shows and more time breaking off DBs.

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