Per this Trib story, it was business as usual at the casino as of yesterday. The CDC is advising people to avoid crowds and practice social distancing. Ohio and Maryland closed their public schools yesterday to help mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus. The NBA and NHL have suspended theor seasons. But the casinos are still open. The state or the PA Gaming Commission should close all of them now. I couldn't find any reliable numbers on the total number of visitors that go through the casino. This 2019 PG article notes that there are over 1,700 employees at The Rivers and speculated that thousands of people visit on the weekends. I've only been in there a couple times, but the visitors seemed to skew on the old side, especially around the slot machines. I think it's safe to assume that thousands of people--many of whom are at high risk of dying if they contract the Coronavirus--pass through the casino every week. By their nature, slot machines are touched by many different people. Keeping them clean is going to be an extremely difficult task, especially while people are breathing, coughing, and sneezing nearby. Table games pose similar challenges because people are constantly handling chips, cards, and surfaces. People come to the Rivers from all over the area. There's a big indoor smoking section. Older people, especially smokers are hit especially hard by the Coronavirus. Casinos pose a unique risk to patrons, employees, their families, and communities. The casinos have financial incentives to stay open until they are forced to close. It is dangerous to keep them open. It's time for the state to act.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms OR Fluffy's Birthday Party
Saturday, December 18th I wake up and my back is fucking killing me. Megan closed the spa last night and she's quitting her (shitty) second job and her last day is Saturday so she's gone in early to get everything wrapped up and her exit interview. I decide to clean up my garage a bit and get some work done around the house. The morning starts off with some eggs and breakfast sausage with a tall glass of simply grapefruit. Life isn't great, but it could be a lot worse. We are all having a little chat about life, weekends and women as I move charcoal and my dads tools around the garage when suddenly my good buddeh u/fluffy_butternut tells everyone that regular women are not damaged enough for me to enjoy. Not only is this HIGHLY insulting to me, but it reflects poorly on Megan as well. rewind to several months before Mrs. Fluffy emailed the whole reddit gang and told us we are invited to a surprise birthday party for the big guy. She gave us instructions/time/place, etc and everything. She did a TON of work to plan this and it shows. I was under the gun at the courthouse with a trial and I wasn't able to commit to the event and all of us have stuff going on so the odds of anyone being able to make it were not good. However, I kept her email, and her cell number on a burner. cut to present https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyLdtG7KZvw Did he really go there? He really went there. It's fucking on like Donkey Kong. I pull out a burner and send a message to Mrs. Fluffy asking her if the plans are still the same. She tells me when he will be arriving at the venue and I tell her I'm gonna make a big fucking scene. She is ecstatic at this idea. I grab my packed bag from the closet and jump in the F350. I grab two organic bean to bar 88% endangered species chocolate bars for Megan and I stop by her work. She's busy, so I leave the chocolate for her at her station. I give her co-worker a note to hand to her when she gets out. "Dear Megan, out for revenge. Back tomorrow - Will." I start driving to MSY and traffic down I-10 isn't bad for a saturday. I phone Delta on the way there and book tickets for the flight. The only thing available is MD88 service connecting in Laguardia. In First. Being no stranger to the slightly elevated service and highly elevated price business model, I book the flight. I'm a little early so I make my way to the nearly brand new Delta Sky Club at MSY. It's new, the gumbo is tasty, the wifi is fast. Life isn't bad. Until I get the phone call from Megan. Me: Hi sweetie Megan: what the fuck does "out for revenge mean?" Me: It means I'm out for revenge. I gotta do some things. Megan: What things? We're supposed to have dinner with my brother tomorrow night! Me: Uh. It's a long story. How was your exit interview? Megan: It was fine. I'm leaving early today. Me: Did you go back to your station yet? Megan: No Me: You should stop there again before you leave. Megan: Why? The airport PA screeches boarding announcement for my flight. Me: They're calling my flight. I gotta run. Megan: Flight? What? Me: Gotta hop. Buy potatoes. See you tomorrow night! I hang up and hightail it for the gate. I pop in and see the pilots before we leave and ask them what are the odds we get 31 via the expressway today. He says he was just loading it into the box. I tell him the last time I did 31 via the expressway into LGA at the Delta Museum sim, it was not good. In fact it was the worst thing to hit new york since a bunch of muslims on a tuesday in September. He laughs. The ride into LGA is smooth as the HMG STG delivery schedule. New York is WINDY as fuck today and bumpy. I peer out the window of the left side of the plane and I get a beautiful close up photo of the statue of liberty and Ellis island. Wait. We're supposed to get 31 via the expressway. We should be on the localizer for LGA runway 4. That puts us right over my aunts place in Bay Ridge looking at the Verazanno. We're not getting 31, they're probably going to take us up over central park, back over da bronx and then in via 22. Sure enough, we land on 22 and I ask the pilots what happened and they said the winds shifted and they had to turn the airport around. Eh, no biggie. I've seen it once, I'll see it again. It's a great approach to fly and if you ever get to experience it, it's fucking magical. We land at LGA a few minutes late and the weather is cold, crisp and windy. I have a short connection but I head to the LGA sky club in terminal D. Life is good. I crack the laptop and do some work and as I close the laptop as they call my flight I see the very beginnings of light snow. I'm from Louisiana. I've never seen snow before. This scares me. I walk to the gate and I board in group 1 and take my first class seat. The plane is half empty. I walk up and chat with the pilots and they tell me that with the snow we are going to deice with type 1 fluid and anti ice with type 4 fluid. We will be a little delayed. As I gaze out the window from my seat, it's snowing and blowing even more. Ten minutes later, the boarding door closes and we start to push back. Conditions have worsened significantly. We can't see the next plane in front of us, things have turned into not quite whiteout but very concerning to this southern boy. The pilots tell us we are number 3 for the deicing truck and I gaze out onto the runway. It's whiter than an Ohio MAGA rally. Fuck me to tears. We deice as I check the weather in Pittsburgh. Rain/Freezing rain/Snow/wintry mix. I've never driven in snow. Fuck. Pucker factor increasing. I pull out my burner and send a message to Mrs. Fluffy and tell her I'm at the deice pad and will be there soon. We have a bumpy ride all the way across Pennsylvania and land about 30 minutes late. Hertz has me in the presidents circle but there is not a single car with local plates. I downgrade to a 2020 white Toyota Corolla since it's the only thing with PA plates on it and I hightail it to the venue. I talk to the waitstaff and tell them I'm crashing the party and ask them to get me a tray and a vest with a nametag. The staff is laughing their ass off at my idea. I message Mrs. Fluffy and she thinks the idea is HYSTERICAL. She can't wait. I tell her I'll be there at 645. T minus 60 minutes until Fluffy Arrival I've never been to this part of Pennsylvania. To be honest, I am a Philly guy. The people there are angry, drunken, profane and love cheese steaks. They're my kind of people. I've never been to a Sheetz or Primanti Brothers. However, fluffy tells me some stories about how he and his wife have a good time over at the meadows. I have NEVER been to a racino before, and ever since I was nearly arrested at Wynn Las Vegas - I've been a little scared. However, it's just down the road and as some of you know, I just came into a shit ton of money. This is not going to end well. I drive down interstate 79 and whip into the north parking garage at The Meadows. My pre-packed bag has four days of clothes, underwear, socks and PJ's, two kruggerands and $10,000 in cash just in case i need to flee the country. I pull out the ten dimes and make my way into the racino. The Meadows is HUGE. I get past the security checkpoint and walk around and I don't see any table games. I see a large well appointed poker room and see two craps tables working at the other end of the hall. I have no idea what table limits or odds are. I saunter up to the table. Me: How's the temperature guys? Degen1: Eh it's up and down. Me: As long as it's not as cold as outside amirte? Degen2: haha yeah yinz been outside today? freezing rain and that! Me: I don't know these words but whatever. The point is on 6. I drop $10,000 on the table. Me: Change only. Gimme 1 small and 9 thousands. Pit Boss: do you have a players club card? Me: never played here before, don't worry about it for now. Pit Boss: Okay! The dice come out, it hits jimmy hicks and the dealers pay out all the bets. I look at the table, the minimums are $5 and everyone has pass line and numbers. NOBODY has true odds. Fuck it. Time to show them how it's done. I drop $10 on the pass line. Dice are out. Point is four. I look up and down the table and nobody is making odds bets. I look down at my rack and drop $100 behind my bet. Dice come out. Six hard. Me: Hey pit boss! How much can I put behind the line? Pit Boss: We'll let you go to 10x, so we can take $100 on your pass line. It looks like you got $100 there but we'd count it out and if you were over we'll give you the extra back. Me: solid, thanks! I look down at my watch. Fluffy is due to arrive at 1900hrs. I told Mrs. I would be there at 1845. It's 15 minutes to drive from the garage to the party which means I need to be on the highway at 1830 which means I need to be out of the casino and cashed out and walking to the garage by 1825. She sends me a message asking me where I'm at. I tell her I'm at the meadows and.....fuck it's 1821. Fuck it. Go big or go home. I take my pass line up to $500 and shove $5000 behind the line. Everyone at the table is looking at me funny. I give $2400 to the dealers and tell them to split me the 6/8. Pit Boss: are you SURE you don't want a players club card? Me: no time! throw them bones! The whip slides the dice over to the fella next to me. He throws. Dealer: Four hard, four the hard way, four. Everyone at the table is looking at me funny. My $500 pass line bet has paid even money. The $5000 behind the line pays true odds on a 4, at 2:1. I look down at my watch. 1829. The dealers are stacking and distributing chips with a fervor. Me: Take down my 6/8 and color me up. Dealer: You got it boss! As they color up my chips, I tell Mrs. fluffy I just won a ton of money at the meadows and I'm cashing out now. I take a $100 chip, hold it up and ask if the dealers want to play it or drop it Dealer: It's up to you man, we don't mind. I plant the chip down on the pass line and tell them put half on the pass line ferda boys, drop the other half. They all LITERALLY clap and thank me. Me: One more thing, where's the cashier? They point me to the cage with the aplomb of a new airport ramper. I leave the casino with a giant wad of cash bulging in my jeans. There's no line and they count out all my cash quickly. I look down at my watch as she's counting out the last of the small bills. 1835. Fuck. I'm going to be late. I hate being late. I jog out to the north garage and hightail it back up interstate 79. I have never driven in snow, at night, or for that matter driven in Pennsylvania before until now. It's snowing, it's dark, the speed limit is 55 and I am the SLOWEST guy in the right lane at 80 and people are passing me going WTF ARE YOU DOING GET OFF THE ROAD judging by the horns and the flashing headlights. I am HAULING ass back up to the venue and I park the Toyota in a handicapped spot as I race into the venue. I find Harriet, the party planner she hands me a vest with a nametag. My transition from Will the gun dealer to Mario the waiter will completed as soon as he arrives. I get fluffy's favorite drink and a plate of some food set up on a tray and I hide in the back waiting for his arrival. Here's a photo. https://imgur.com/yZP2FuI As if it were choreographed to the minute, Mrs. Fluffy walks him in the front door at 7PM to a room full of people as a birthday surprise. He had not seen it coming. He begins making the rounds seeing everyone and saying hello. It's a big party so it takes some time. I hang back for a few minutes and let him do his thing and I give my phone to one of his friends and tell them to get this next part on video as I put on the vest and adjust the nametag. Friendo: Sure thing "mario" Me: shut up and just do some good camera work! I take the tray of beverage and minature charcuterie plate over to fluffy as he's greeting the party guests and sneak up behind him. He's taking his grand old time working the room. In my best italian Pittsburgh native accent I can muster, I'm holding the tray and I walk in front of him and put on a great big smile. Me: Can I get yinz something to drink? Or some charcuterie and that? Fluffy: ....... (I now feign anger) Me: OR IS THIS FOOD AND BEVERAGE NOT DAMAGED ENOUGH FOR YOUR LIKING?!?!?!??!?!?! YOU FAT DIABETIC OLD FUCK! Fluffy: What.....are you.........doing here? Me: Mrs told us about it and I figured I should give you a hard time after your comments this morning. Would you like some food? You know, airplane noises make the food taste better. Or are you a little too old for that? Lets give it a try! (I grab a carrot stick and fly it into his face by making very loud airplane noises in a ballroom full of fluffy's closest friends and family making a gigantic scene with people wondering is this a joke or what horrors are about to come next. No, this is not a joke, this really happened. Ask anyone who was there.) Fluffy: I'm good thanks Me: you sure? (more airplane noises followed by a carrot slice raping his mouth) Fluffy is shocked and awed. I tell him to go work the room and to have a happy birthday party. There's an open bar and I help myself to a double ginger ale, neat. I find some millennials and we chat about Hawaiian shirts and stuff and they think my comedy is HILARIOUS. Unlike most of reddit. Fluffy saunters over and we chat some more and he's wondering WTF. I told him the wife planned it all months in advance. Fluffy: You know u/xxxwirtydhorexxx is here. Me: That's really funny. Fluffy: No, he's really here. Me: Bullshit. Then where is he? Fluffy: He's right in front of you, 12 o'clock. I don't see him. Then I look down and there's a guy in a boonie hat. I didn't recognize him without the dress. Me: Oh dear god. He's really here isn't he? Wirty gets up and walks over and he's like HI! I THOUGHT IT WAS YOU! We have a bunch of really really awkward conversation that involves him inviting me to sit next to him and me running over to Mrs. Fluffy asking her to save me from wirty. She finds a spot at her table by her kids for me. I forget his present, even though his wife said no presents and there's a table full of booze, scratchers, and gun stuff. I drive back up to the hotel to grab it and give it to him. He has no idea what it is. You all should ask him about it. I give it to him and Wirty starts complaining about normies. Fluffy: Where are you staying? Me: The Hilton just down the street Fluffy: Oh, the one on the top of the hill? Me: That's why it's the HILL-ton. Everyone groans. Me and wirty talk and he weirds me out and demands to stand next to me in the group photo. I tell more jokes and the millenial group loves me. We close the place down and head back to fluffy's hotel. BOY HOWDY LET ME TELL YOU.........if you thought MY stories were longwinded and pointless you have not met some of fluffy's friends! His local raconteur buddy was telling us at 145AM his story about being fucked by the Virginia state police for speeding. Yeah. I dump him off at his hotel and I head back up to my room. It's 3AM by the time I shower and sleep. SUNDAY JANUARY 19TH 2020 My alarm wakes me up at 9AM. My back is killing me. My head is pounding. It's 21 degrees outside. Fuck this noise. I go back to sleep. The hotel phone rings. Me: Go for Hayden Operator: I have a fluffy butternut on the phone for you. Me: Go ahead and connect us Operator: Thank you (sound of dial tone) I'm not making this up. I grab my phone and call fluffy and we have brunch at the meadows with the mrs. It's fun, we talk guns, life, liberty and the pursuit of extra sides of marinara. I hang out with them at the slot machines until it's time to head to the airport. I gas up at the sheetz next to the racetrack and I fly back home in coach since my status on delta is radioactive dirt. The incoming flight is late from Atlanta which means we leave late for Atlanta and i get back home 2.5 hours later than I expected. Laundry is running and I am unpacking as Megan walks in the door. Me: Hi! Megan: Hi. Back from revenge so soon? Me: Yeah. I'm actually late. How was dinner with your brother? Megan: Good. He took me to olive garden. So tell me what was so important you had to go out for revenge and come back the next day? (I tell her the story) Megan: Wait a minute. Your friend insulted you as a joke, so you bought a last minute first class ticket to new york and pennsylvania to fly to his surprise birthday party to yell at him in person, in january in 21 degree weather? Me: Yeah. Megan: Why would you do that? Me: Well he said that you're damaged goods. He wasn't insulting me, he was insulting you. I didn't like that. Megan: You cannot be serious. Me: I am serious. Megan: and don't call you Shirley? Me: You're weird. Megan: I'm not the one that just flew across the country to go "out for revenge", and I'm the weird one? Me: (goofy smile) Megan: (goofy laughter) Have a lovely holiday weekend everyone!
CreateYoureReality NFL Analysis and Picks Week 15 (Sunday Games)
https://preview.redd.it/v7euqcxrgt441.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9761857f64d85a70bb8e4212a7ddcb3ce56edc68 Monday Recap Singles: 0-1 (-2.9u)Not the best result here, haha. Alshon went down early and Tate got 6 targets but only converted one into a catch. Parlay: 0-1 (-2u)Little rough here. Had NYG ml and was cruising the whole game. Giants D no bueno BBDLS: 0-0 (0u) SBBDLS: 0-0 (0u) Teasers: 0-0 (0u) Sunday Games Tampa Bay at Detriot (+3.5/+6): This one is all over the place. I am seeing spreads as low as 3.5 and as high as 6. It's a little curious to me. Yea, DET is starting a backup QB that has struggled a little going 0-2 so far. And yea, DET is 28th in sac rate, last in QB hit rate with a horrible secondary and nothing to play for this season playoff wise. And yes TB has been on fire recently going 3-0 and scoring and average of 30 ppg in their last 3... All of these signs point to backing TB...However, TB has the second-worst pass and scoring defense in football and Blough has shown the ability to get the ball to Galloday. Along with Evans and Winston appearing on the injury report, the Buccaneers could also be down linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul and receiver Scotty Miller. You would think this is going to be a shootout given both teams poor secondary and ability to big play throw to their WR1s. However, there appears to be some RLM on the total with over 75% of bets on the over, but the total dropping from 47.5 to 45.5. Very curious! I know it would hurt the DET draft stock, but I feel this is a prime spot for Blough to get his first NFL start/win. I was going to load up on props this game thinking it would be a shoot out, but the RLM has me worried in that department, so I will probably limit my exposure on this game. There are plenty of better spot this weekend. Extra Note:TB has gone 6-13-1 ATS in its last 20 games as a road favorite... Philadelphia at Washington (+5.5/+6): Well, I am kinda mad at PHL for that comeback on Monday night. :P Speaking of Monday night, Philly is playing on a short week and has injuries to half the team. Alshon is done for the season, Aghalor is Questionable, Howard had to come out of the Monday night game due to cramping. This is a clear low scoring spot so looking at props is questionable. The total has dropped almost 2 points but not though any key numbers yet from 40.5 down to 38.5. The next big number is 37. Honestly this is a crapshoot of a game. Philly is still playing for a playoff spot but they just have such a limited offence to work with. With the limited receiving core (essentially the two TEs) the algo favors the under on the PHL team total of 23.5. Also, it's hard not to look at the home dog catching almost a TD in a game with such a low total... Chicago at Green Bay (-4/-5): Here is a game that could have some serious playoff implications. Chicago is trying to win out just to have a hope that the right teams win and lose for them to make it in. GB is now playing for playoff seating. On a neutral field, I would definitely be favoring the Bears here. However, GB at home is a totally different team. They are 2nd in ypp at home vs. 31st on the road take that stat and add it with CHI has only covered one spread OTR this season...makes it a scary look for CHI. However, the GB defense is one of the worst for how good their record is, conversely, the CHI defense is much better than it's record dictates and the CHI offense looks much better chemistry wise than they did in the first half of the season. As you can tell, my model is leaning CHI here and there is RLM to support. Currently the about 55/60% of the bets are on GB, however the line has moved from an open as high as -7 down to as low as currently -4. Extra Note:Bears: 7-0 SU and ATS when both teams are coming off a home game, and 5-0 SU and ATS in division games with QB Mitchell Tribusky when Chicago owns a winning record … Packers: 1-6 ATS in Last Home Games in division games when coming off a non-division game New England at Cincinnati (+10):We're on to Cincinnati... A week ago, when we were filming there sideline signals... In all fairness does anyone think NE would actually NEEED the Bengals signals to beat them... They came out as a 10 point road favorite! I dont get this one and honestly it feels like media bias to have something to talk about for a week and to blame when the Patriots win another Superbowl. There is some cause to be weary of this spread. Edleman is questionable but I just don't see enough to warrant a stay away. Here's an extra stat found for the Patriots: "The Pats are 41-17 ATS off a loss... and have been money in the bank for bettors in this spot for years as well, going 13-2 ATS in their last 15 vs. teams with losing records (which includes going 4-0 ATS this season) and a perfect 3-0 ATS in their last three after having lost two out of their last three SU. The Bengals on the other hand are a money-burning 8-13 ATS in their last 21 at home, including 1-4 already this season." Houston at Tennessee(-3): This line moved quick! It opened as low as -1 but as soon as HOU fell on their face last week and TEN beat OAK, this spread quickly moved to -3. A justified move imo as since the RT insertion, TEN has been the number one offence in the league. They have also tripled their no huddle rate for a more uptempo offense. They will be facing a HOU D that has, quite frankly, SUCKED since JJ watt got hurt. The model likes a lot of Henry in this one (Not surprising he is the KEY to the TEN offense) combined with a ton of PA Passing for TEN going for big plays. The model favor's TEN but as the spread climbs higher it looks like a weaker play. Seattle at Carolina(+6): This is one of the harder games for me to cap this week. On the one hand, its a west coast team traveling East for a 1pm game. On the other hand, its the Seahawks doing it and RW has a great track record in these games. Also, it looks like the Carolina defense is giving up... in their last 5 games, teams have scored on more than half of possessions vs CAR. Penny is out, but Carson is back and ready to go against one of the leagues worst defenses vs the run. On the other side we have CMC who is also facing a shotty defense. I do think this is a potential upset spot. Any time I see a home team plus 6, it always red flags a teaser breaker, however with the "destiny run" that Wilson is on this year I would say the chances are lower than a regular spot. Denver at Kansas City (-10): Another one I am really torn on. KC has beat DEN last 7 times SU and ATS. However, we are still uncertain of the health of PMs hand. He looked great in the first half of the NE game, but then just stopped doing anything in the second half. Overall, he started the season with an 18-1 TD/INT ratio, but since returning from injury has a ratio of 3-2. Also, the DEN pass D is pretty good and has Lock on the other side of the ball playing with high confidence, starting his career 2-0. Don't get me wrong, its totally possible KC wins this game 27-13 or 31-20, something like that...but with the total dropping from an average 47 open to 44.5 now and the spread dropping from 13.5 down to 9.5/10, I think there is still value on Denver. KC will be playing as hard as they can as there is still a chance at the two seed. Still, as I stated, the model is leaning DEN and the points here. Miami at New York Giants (-3.5): Not much to say here. Both defense are shit. Eli's last home game for NY and most likely his last chance to end with a .500 W/L record. I'm gonna just go with the Manning conspiracy and say that the Manning family had a hand in Parker getting his contract extension, he will sit or play poorly, and Eli will get a great game send off at home. No stats. Fade if you dont like conspiracy theories. XD Jacksonville at Oakland (-6.5): Another big line movement. Opened at 4.5, is up to mostly 6.5. Last week the Jaguars, (31st) in run D, lost their best linebacker and leading tackler in Myles Jack. This week they lost another linebacker in Quincy Williams who is the fourth linebacker that Jacksonville has lost this season. This Sunday should be a great day for Josh Jacobs who only needs 246 yards to break Saquan's rookie-of-the-year mark of 1,307 yards. Even if Jacobs is hurt, DeAndre Washington, who filled in nicely last week, will get the chance to carve up the Jaguars. I do think that this is a good look for the over. Both defenses suck the only deterrent here is DJ Chark the shark might be out for this one, hurting JAX chances at keeping up. Cleveland at Arizona (+3): This is another curious spot for me. The Browns are pretty much done for the season in regards to playoff chances. Theoretically they could win out but like the Bears they would need a ton of help, and a win over the Ravens. They do face an ARZ team that is horrible against the pass and has been a money loser for most of the season at home. The algo doesn't have a definite lean here, but as the points rise, the AZ ml looks tempting. This game also has the potential for a big props game as CLE has very good WCB match ups. Minnesota at Los Angeles Chargers (+1.5): Some Serious RLM in this one. Almost 70% of bets on MIN yet the line has gone from a -3 open to -1/-1.5 in most spots. This is actually really weird. MIN has almost everyone healthy again, Theilin, Diggs...both back. LAC stadium as we know has almost no HFA...w.t.f. Also, this game missed out on the flex to the night game which went to BUF/PIT... Can you say, " The fix is in" All statistics point to MIN picking up an easy win. Then why is the line dropping? Well, lets dive deeper into the stats...
Los Angeles is home after a tough stretch of schedule and riding high off a 45-10 win over Jacksonville last Sunday. The Chargers defense has been especially strong, allowing an average of just 260 yards against over the past three outings.
The Chargers have been playing exceptional pass defense of late as they have the second-best passing yards against oveer their last three games and have held Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes to just 561 yards combined and three touchdowns in three of their last five games. The numbers look even better when you look at all their games since November: 171.4 yards passing and only one opposing QB to throw for more than one TD.
Cousins is 3-4 SU on the road this year and has a completion percentage 17 points lower on the road than at home.
Chargers are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games when getting the points
Maybe the sharps are considering this a let down spot for MIN as they are probably looking ahead to a divisional match up next week vs. GB. One last piece of information that makes the Chargers one of the BEST SPOTS TO TEASE this week :
The Bolts’ eight losses on the season have all been by one score (one by 2, three by 3, and four by 7) and while they’ve gone 4-0-1 ATS in their five wins in 2019, keeping it close wasn’t enough for bettors sorting through a 4-7-2 ATS record on the season
Atlanta at San Francisco (-10.5): The 49ers played a spectacular game last week to get a win over the Saints. This puts them in the hunt to get the top seed in the NFC. However, their injury list is growing at a fast rate at the wrong time. They’re missing bodies at receiver, on the defensive line, on the offensive line (starting center Weston Richburg on IR) and in the secondary, where Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams, and safety Jaquiski Tartt are out or questionable heading into Sunday. Since the bye week, Atlanta is 3-2 SU and ATS after 1-7 start. With all the injuries to SF here, I can easily see a backdoor cover from ATL. Hell, San Fran's final two games of the season are against divisional opponents (SEA and LAR) they might get caught resting and looking here and be in line for a surprise upset! XD LA Rams at Dallas (+1): How did this game not get flexed into the night spot...? Is it because Philly is going to lose to Washington and this game means nothing for Dallas? I can't imagine if Philly gets a win here that Jerry Jones wouldn't want Americas team to not be in the spotlight when they are playing for a playoff chance... Anyway, almost 80% of the tickets are on the Rams, and the line has moved heavily from -4 Dallas to -1/1.5 LAR. If the Rams win out, they can almost control their destiny with a 96% chance of making the playoffs. There defense is better. Vander esch is still out for Dallas but Sean Lee may be good to go in this one. The Rams have been trying to get back to basics with Gurley over the last few weeks, and the Cowboys have been gashed in the run game so look for LA to continue with that strategy. Depending on how well Dak can move the ball against this Rams D, this game has the potential for a high scoring affair. The only thing that really worries me is with 80% of the tickets on LA and the line has yet to get up to -3, it looks as if the books dont want to give Dallas too many points. Maybe Dallas is actually the play here? Honestly, I think the best spot in this one is another teaser. The over looks prime and either side teased above 6/7 looks very attractive. Buffalo at Pittsburgh (-1): Finally we get to the game that the NFL decided to flex into Sunday Primetime. Currently 70-80% of bets are on Buffalo and the spread has moved from 2.5 down to 1, but that isn't through any key numbers. Both teams have been great defensively and PIT sees the return of their starting RB. This has the makings of a tough, low scoring, grind it out type game. We say this every week it seems, but it's going to be a big test for Josh Allen to see if the Bills are truly a playoff contender or just had an easy schedule. So far he has done well winning 5 of 6 on the road this season with 3 of their 4 highest scoring games OTR. However, they will be facing a Steeler D that has been legit since the add of Fitzpatrick. Over the last 4 games(all wins) the Steelers are giving up only 16 ppg. Again, this game looks good for a tease. Both sides too in a low scoring grind it out game that looks to be decided by 1 score or less. Singles 110-110-3 (+22.13u)
O.J. Howard 3.5 Rec Over (0.5u to win 0.63u)
Golladay 4.5 Rec Over (1u to win 1u)
Golladay To Get 100+ Receiving Yards (0.5u to win 0.7u)
Danny Amendola 4.5 Rec Over (0.7u to win 0.52u)
Breshad Perriman 3.5 Rec Over (0.5u to win 0.7u)
PHL TTwas 23.5, now 22.5, no bet for me now.
Zach Ertz 5.5 Rec Over (0.5u to win 0.54u)
Dallas Goedert 3.5 Rec Over (0.63u to win 0.5u)
Terry McLaurin 53.5 Rec Yards Over (1.12u to win 1u)
CHI TT 17.5 Over (0.52u to win 0.5u)
Allen Robinson 5.5 Rec Over (0.5u to win 0.56u)
Allen Robinson 69.5 Rec Yards Over (0.56u to win 0.5u)
Allen Robinson 100 Rec Yards Over (0.5u to win 0.95u)
Hopkins 75+ Rec Yards Over (1.1u to win 1u)
A.J. Brown 63.5 Rec Yards Over (0.56u to win 0.5u)
Deebo Samuel Over 51.5 Rec Yards (1.12u to win 1u)
Kupp To Get 125+ Receiving Yards (0.5u to win 2.5u)
Kupp 60.5 Receiving Yards Over (1.12u to win 1u)
Cooper 125+ Rec Yards (0.5u to win 2u)
Gurley 21.5 Rec Yards Over (0.5u to win 0.53u)
Gurley To Get 75+ Rushing Yards (0.5u to win 0.55u)
DET +5 (0.55u to win 0.5u)
WAS +6 (0.55u to win 0.5u)
NE -10 (0.55u to win 0.5u)
NYG -3 (0.55u to win 0.5u)
LAC +3 (0.74u to win 0.5u)
PIT -1 (1.1u to win 1u)
Tyreek Hill and Hopkins 100+ Rec Yards and a TD EACH (1u to win 10.5u)
Parlays: 7-13 (+78.06u)5u of free bets to use up before they are all expired this week. They will all go here and the BBDLS.
NE ml, NO ml, NYG ml, CHI +6.5, DET +6.5 (0u to win 10.02u)
NE ml, NO ml, TEN ml, OAK ml, PIT ml (0u to win 12.34u)
NE ml, NO ml, LAR ml, LAC ml, DEN +10, ATL +10.5 (0u to win 20.45u)
This is a separate box I am making for Borgata online bets. They decided to give me 10u for no reason. The only downside is they have a 6x rollover before I can take the winnings. Because of this I will try for parlays to hit more then 6x the bonus. None of the losses count against us, and none of the winnings count for us until I have rolled over 6x. Borgata Online
NE to win first half and full time, NO ml, NYG +3.5, OAK ml, TEN +6.5, DET +8.5, LAC +6.5,CHI +8.5, LAR +6.5, PIT +6.5 (0u to win 132.32u)Parlay
NE ml, NO ml, NYG ml, CHI ml, OAK ml, TEN +3.5, DEN +4.5, DET +8.5, LAC ml, ATL ml, PIT ml (0u to win 427.82u)BBDLS
NE and NO to win 1st half and full time, NYG ml, OAK ml, TEN ml, DET +8.5, LAC ml, CHI ml, LAR ml, PIT ml (0u to win 621.69u)BBDLS
NE ml, TEN ml, NYG ml, OAK ml, LAR ml, NO ml, ATL +10.5, DET +3.5, WAS +5.5, CHI +4.5, DEN +9.5 (0u to win 211.47u)Pre-research betBBDLS
Big Boy Daddy Long Shot 0-12 (-14.04u)
Over 60.5 Rec Yards Kupp, Over 53.5 Rec Yards McLaurin, Over 69.5Rec Yards Robinson, Over 79.5 Rec Yards Hopkins, NE ml, NO ml, OAK ml, CLE ml, KC ml, LAC ml, DET TT 20.5 Over (1.38u to win 290.46u)
NE ml, NO ml, NYG ml, CHI ml, DET +6.5, OAK ml, TEN ml, LAC ml, ATL ml, PIT ml (0u to win 232.21u)
NO, LA, TEN, NYG, PIT, NE -9.5, OAK, CHI +4.5, CAR +6, WAS +4.5, DEN +9.5, DET +3.5 (0.2u to win 174.79u)Put this in pre research for fun
HOU, DET ml and O45.5, KC, CLE, NYG, OAK, LAC, SEA, GB, WASH, PIT, IND +9.5 and O46.5 (0.5u to win 2476.27)
HOU +3.5, DET +3.5, NYG -3, NE -10, CLE -3, LAC ml, GB ml, OAK ml, PIT ml, WAS +6.5 (0.96u to win 400u) AJ
Super Big Boy Daddy Long Shot: 0-12 (-6u)
Putting one in at Ocean Casino on Sunday morning.
Teasers: 6-21 (-35.1u)
Putting one in at Ocean Casino on Sunday morning. Below are the teams I am leaning.
Pittsburgh's new sportsbook: where's the extra $0.06 coming from?
TL;DR: Newly opened sportsbook in Pittsburgh, PA presents American Odds on the board, but use decimal odds behind the scenes to calculate payouts. They say all rounding of display numbers will be in the "player's advantage". Is this a common thing at casino based sportsbooks? I've mainly bet online. Details: So, yesterday was the first day of legalized bet taking at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. I'm far from a professional, but I would say I'm decently versed in the terminology, math, and process of sports betting. Other than an actual bet on the TNF game, I was mainly there placing two small bets to have as 'souvenir tickets' to say I placed a bet on day one: Steelers and Penguins. So, I look at the board for the Steelers spread: Pittsburgh Steelers | +3.0 (-117) | Ok. Steelers are a 3 point underdog, and you have to bet $117 to profit $100. I want to bet to win $10.00 on my souvenir ticket. So I bet $11.70, right? I place my bet. On my ticket:
WHERE'S THE EXTRA $0.06 coming from? So, there's all kinds of staff around the sports book area to answer questions that new betters may have. I ask the one guy about it, and it's all about how the system actually works, and how they present it to the end user. So, the sports book software uses decimal odds behind the scenes, and they just display rounded-off American Odds on the boards because that's what the US market is used to. So, really my bet was: 1.8598 odds in decimal notation, which is around -116.30 in American Odds notation So, I got my bet for 000.7 cheaper juice than expected, because (according to the staff member I talked to) any rounding will "always" be in the advantage of the player, never the house.
This was the tune-up/mid-way point race for my training cycle for the Pittsburgh Marathon. I’ve been doing Hal Higdon’s Intermediate 1 marathon plan which has been going pretty well. It doesn’t include speedwork, but it’s really increased my mileage in a smart way, and for the first time ever, I’ve run over 100 miles a month (actually, for two months in a row!). Generally I’ve felt pretty good, my legs have been sore, but in a good way, and I’ve been diligent with stretching and rolling (as well as adding some sort of core work each day), which has really helped, as I feel like I’m prone to ITBS. When looking for race that fit into this schedule, all the local races were off by a few weeks, more geared towards other training plans, but as it turns out, there was this cool little half marathon right next to where my dad’s family is and is run on a motor speedway, promising a really unique experience! Jefferson County is the last county on the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, and where my dad’s family was from and then eventually settled (once my grandfather was done moving around with the Army). It’s steeped in history, and as an added bonus, my aunt is a runner and agreed to run this with me, even though it was a new race for her as well! You may have heard of the town of Harper’s Ferry, and Summit Point is two towns over. Charles Town (not Charleston), is where my family is, and is home to a racetrack and casino.
Pre-race
Headed to Charles Town and the nearby community of Ranson to do early packet-pick up on Friday evening. The running store was cool, although a bit strange. They are a ‘minimalist’ running store, so only had a few types and styles of shoes (as well as a really nice selection of dressier shoes not for running, actually), but a huge selection of accessories (heated foam rollers, etc.) and clothing. They are also one of the members of Bros and Bras a fitness collective in the area, dedicated to getting people more active, so that’s pretty cool. I did pick up a massage Stick for $10, which was an awesome deal, and packet pick-up was pretty easy. However, they didn’t have the shoe tags, so we would have to go to packet pick-up again the next morning at the racetrack. The volunteers though were awesome (a theme that would continue)! Charles Town has gone through a transformation. When I was little, it had one streetlight. The racetrack was there, but in the last ten years, the casino, Wal Mart, and pretty much everything else has sprung up, and now there’s like, six stop lights within the town borders! But it was nice to drive past my grandmother’s old house and see some of the sights I hadn’t seen in a few years, as well as what hasn’t changed. I had been back since the casino opened, but even since then, the town has grown a lot. It’s still a really quaint small town with a Southern feel, where at night, you sit on your porch and chit chat with the neighbors who happen to walk past, inviting them up for some sun tea. The sidewalks are brick and wavy due to the tree roots underneath, and no matter which way you turn you can see the roofline of a building that probably has some history going back to the American Revolution. My friend came down with me to make a little ‘runcation’ out of the day, and my parents took us out to dinner at this amazing restaurant that had cuisine from Lebanon (I’m Lebanese), Morocco, Spain, France and Italy. It all worked together, and the sheer variety was amazing. They had the best pita bread outside of my family I’ve ever had, and really good homemade hummus. I had the couscous with cranberries and walnuts while the live musician entertained the dining room. The race has* an 11 a.m. start, which is really strange, but since it’s the first weekend of March, the weather really could be anything. Before we headed to the race track, we stopped by my uncle’s bakery and he had made me some sourdough bread to take home with me! We headed to the motor speedway, got through security, got our shoe chips and waited around a bit. Due to the high winds, the park had lost power, so while VeteRun promotes heavily the fact that there are real bathrooms, not port-a-potties, because they had no power, the bathrooms were closed. They restored power at some point during the race and opened them, as well as the showers that were available on site. *Due to the additional security added by the race track, the race was delayed 15 minutes. This was also the first time my parents came to a race of mine. I gave them cowbells, because why not, and they actually had a really good time; plus me, myself and my aunt could throw them stuff between the first and second lap if we needed to (they both did, I did not).
Race
So, one of my goals was to not get lost. I feel that with the course this half took that fear was justified. I did not get lost, thankfully. Another one of my goals was of course to thank the volunteers. I’m a happy runner, it’s just how I am, and one of the volunteers scolded me for being too happy to be running a half marathon as I ran past her, thanking her for the fourth time for being awesome and helping us not get lost, so I’m counting that as a win! However, what we need to talk about is the wind. The wind was sustained 25 mph with gusts of 40 mph the entire time we were running. With how twisty the course was, along with the hills and banks, you’d be trucking along, and make a turn or come up over a hill and BAM! You’d suddenly have to hold onto your hat and lean forward to make any progress. The hills were rolling, although one was really steep, and that, combined with the wind, brought a lot of people to a walk. The field was pretty small (103 for the half, 91 for the 5K, which started 15 minutes after the half), and I think a lot of that was due to the wind and many people not having power at home and having to deal with cleanup. At one point, I couldn’t feel my left hip because the cross wind was hitting it enough for me to lose all feeling. My aunt is really a badass, and it was really cool to run with her! We stuck together and chit chatted for the first five miles or so, and that actually really helped to reel me in, letting me have the energy for a really good negative split. After she dropped back, I was alone for a long time, and I was honestly a bit worried about getting lost, but there were enough cones and signs that I was good! As I came through for the end of my first lap, based off of my music, I was in position to grab a PR, so I decided to make that my goal and see if I could make it happen. I hadn’t come into the race with any real time expectation but I thought it was within reach, so I wanted to go for it. I ran a smart race, slowly increasing my speed, even taking into account the hills I know I’d be encountering on the second lap. The wind was still a huge factor, you’d turn a corner and be smacked in the face, and it was unpredictable, but I just kept reeling in the people in front of me, passing them (usually on the uphills) and then keeping that lead. With less than a mile and a half left, the last huge hill in front of me, I passed someone as we made our way up and passed another across the bridge at the top of the hill. We chatted for a moment: it was his first race since 1987 (and major heart problems), and he was encouraging and inspiring! There was one guy left in front of me, who I really wanted to pass, and with about half a mile to go, I finally overtook him, and held him off on the kick, which was down one of the pit rows to the finish line.
Mental
February was a dumpster fire (work, family and personal issues), so I wasn’t exactly sure how this race would go. I went into it just figuring I’d use it as a chance to hone my race-day routine, but I think I have that down pretty well, although adding in the travel was a challenge for me, and I found myself packing and repacking many, many times, since I’d not be at my house for race day morning. As we started the race, I enjoyed talking with my Aunt, and while normally my long runs are ‘me time’ where my mind works things out, I knew that any time with her would not be that, and once I framed it that way, I was okay with it. When she fell back and I continued on, my mind went to work like it sometimes does, working through things and fixing problems and digging around inside itself, and that was helpful, and good time for me. I really appreciated having both of those experiences on one run.
Post-race
I crossed the finish line in 2:13:15, more than a six minute PR! I remember as I was approaching the finish line, seeing the clock and saying out loud, “No ******* way!” I guess I still didn’t believe I was going to PR! Grabbed my medal, water (had to pass on the pizza since I’m a lactard) and had my shoe chip cut off before finding my family and then waiting to cheer in my aunt as she crossed the finish line. We grabbed a couple pictures before we headed out. The power had come back, but we decided to shower at my parent’s hotel (they were staying another night in Charles Town) before we headed home, of course hitting the cosmic center of the universe: Breezewood, Pa. My aunt got first place in her age division! And will now be training for the Freedom Run Half Marathon and the Harper’s Ferry full, which is both historic and crazy in terms of hills! All three of us left with windburn. My face, as well as my hands are pretty beat up from it, actually, so I’ll be doing what I can to heal, probably lost of chapstick and lotion. Nothing we could really do about it, but I feel pretty badass for getting a PR in those conditions!
What's next?
I’m halfway through my training for the Pittsburgh Marathon. I’m anxiously awaiting and dreading the return of spring weather (I’m sick of running in the cold, but I appreciate the extra emptiness of the sidewalks). With this PR and my long runs taking me up to 15 miles (I know there’s still a long way to go), I’m feeling much more confident than I was before. I’m a bit nervous about the mileage ramping up once again, but this helped a lot so I know I’ll be able to continue to work through my training plan. The races in training plans are great for not only the practice of running on race day (and getting your running to fit on a set start time), but also as a way to see where you are in your own journey; and I had forgotten that. I don’t race over the winter, but maybe I need to change that moving forward, to keep me in that mindset and practiced. My friend and I also had such a good time that we’re looking into what other close (or closeish) races we can do, hopefully making runcations a yearly event for us! She tossed out ideas for Virginia Beach and Cincinnati, and my parents would love for us to run the Outer Banks while they’re there (aka, Pittsburgh South Version 2, Florida is Version 1), so that will be the goal for next year! I also have to help my mom figure out how to upload all of her pictures to a Facebook album, so I’ll be working on that this week (by working on, I just mean doing). I’ll be adding some more pictures that she and my dad took to the album I put together here. This post was generated using the new race reportr, a tool built by BBQLays for making organized, easy-to-read, and beautiful race reports.
Opportunity - Looking for a photographer to capture a beautiful, rare angle of the city from my apartment - Truly stunning view!!!
Greetings Pittsburgh'ers! My name is Kirk! I am looking for someone with a photography hobby and a very high quality camera setup. I'm looking for a set of excellent high res, long exposure, beautiful effects, and photo editing software to make the best possible outcome of this truly breathtaking view. It's all yours - just let me know if you want to come and shoot! I'll allow multiple people to take pictures and sell them as their own property!!! I moved from Butler, PA to the North Side of Pittsburgh in mid-October after finding an apartment with a simply stunning view. I knew as soon as I saw it, I had to have it. I got myself a roommate, and we have been here for a few months now. I have been taking pictures with my iPhone 5 and a cheapo digital camera, but they do the view zero justice. I have been thinking about contacting the Art Institute or something and seeing if a photography student would be interested in taking some pictures from our apartment balcony, or the very large community deck. I hold this to be more important than say a picture from Mt. Washington because of the angle. Very, very, very few people have ever seen Pittsburgh from this side of the city. It's truly remarkable. I'd even wager to say that it is my favorite angle, better than all others simply because of what you can see from here. I'm talking Allegheny General Hospital on the far left, to Consol Energy Center, to David L. Lawrence Convention Center, to UPMC Steel Building, NY Mellon, PPG Building, Highmark building, , the Gulf Tower, tons of hotels, miscellaneous North Side landmarks including Aviary, CCAC, Green Dome & White 'Box-y' building, tons of bridges, Fort Pitt Tunnels, PNC Park, Heinz Field, Rivers Casino, Station Square, the Inclines, Mount Washington, Gateway Clipper Fleet, the Point fountain, South Side Riverhounds stadium, etc etc etc. You really can see much more, I just can't think of them all. It's an extraordinarily wide view. It would make for some incredible panoramic shots, or several high res shots side by side. So here's the deal: I want someone (or multiple people) to contact me on here about interest in taking the pictures. I will not be paying anything... this is your opportunity to make some money on your own if you are clever. I give you my full permission to take the shots and sell them to make your own profit, I want none of it. Turn them into a professional portrait and sell them in souvenir shops, or on here to other people. I guarantee there will be interest in these, the view is that good!!! I am very accommodating and would actually like to have you visit more than once. The sunrise shots are stunning. The cold morning shots with TONS of smoke rising from the buildings is fantastic. Midday, cloudy shots are cool, just not drab gray. Sunset is gorgeous, and the nighttime is truly epic. So please, let me know if you want to come take the shots. Please ask any questions you want here! Please send this link to your family and friends! I have attached 2 pictures (I warned you about the shitty quality) so you can get a feel for the view. I mean it when I say that the view is literally 3-4x wider than these shots are. You cannot see AGH on the left at all, it's over there. Then you can't see Heinz Field or Rivers Casino, and there is a lot more to the right of them, too. This is just so you can see the "bulk" of the stuff. View #1 - Daytime View #2 - Nighttime
Going to Pittsburgh For Bachelor Party - Need Ideas
I am planning a Bachelor Party in Pittsburgh, PA and am looking for ideas. I am looking for Sports Bars to go to as well as restaraunt ideas. We are interested in visiting the Casino as well. We think that we are going to be staying at the Holiday Inn on McKnight Rd (North Pittsburgh) - Is that hotel too far away from all of the action? Are there any hotels closer to the action that you recommend? Of course, we are also looking for some adult entertainment ;) Thanks for the feedback.
Mercyhurst University (MU) Atlantic Hockey Association Year Founded: 1926 Location: Erie, Pennsylvania Total Attendance: 13,790 Average Attendance: 862 Nickname:Lakers Mascot: Louie the Laker. A Laker is a fisherman who has the skill, tenacity, and resourcefulness to meet the challenges of life on the water. Picture 1Picture 2Picture 3 Fight Song: 'Hurst Fight Song (set to the tune of Anchors Aweigh)
Go for it Lakers Fight for the Hurst Show us the spirit that has always made you first Fight! Fight! Fight! Win for the Blue and Green Bring home the game Look for the lights that burn forever in the hall of Old Main
Arena: The Mercyhurst Ice Center (MIC) ExteriorInterior 1Interior 2Interior 3Zamboni The MIC is a 35,280 square foot arena built in 1991 for 1.4 million dollars. Mercyhurst spent 175,000 dollars in 2007 for improvements to the facility. In a unique funding arrangement, Mercyhurst students agreed to pay for the ice center through a 56 dollar increase in their annual building assessment fee. The money generates 80,000 dollars each year and will retire the school-backed bond in 2021. Uniforms First Season: 1999 was the first season for Division I hockey. The Lakers spent five years in Division III (1987-1992) and seven years in Division II (1992-99). All-time Record: 469-330-65 (266-213-50 in Division I) Championships: 0 Frozen Four Appearances: 1993 (DII), 1995 (DII) Tournament Appearances: 1991 (DIII), 1993 (DII), 1995 (DII), 2001, 2003, 2005 Conference Tournament Champions: 2001 (MAAC), 2003 (MAAC), 2005 Conference Regular Season Champions: 2002 (MAAC), 2003 (MAAC) Rivals Robert Morris A new rivalry, it heated up when RMU joined the Lakers in the AHA. Erie is just a quick drive up from Pittsburgh on I-79. The inital match-up came in the first year of RMU's program during the 2004-05 season when the Lakers won by a score of 8-2. MU currently leads the series 6-4-3. Canisius The rivalry between the Lakers and the Golden Griffins extends back to club hockey. Note: To be honest I don't know much about the rivalries and could not find much in the way of information. I'm sure someone out there knows more than I do. If you do, please let me know. Thanks! 2012-2013 Season Record: 19-17-5 (12-11-4) Coach: Rick Gotkin 2012-2013 Roster Season Summary Improving on their finish in 2012, Mercyhurst made it all the way to the AHA final against Canisius. Big wins along came in the form of a 5-2 victory over Maine in Orono; a 3-2 OT win over Canisius; and in the AHA quarterfinals against Holy Cross. Mercyhurst would finish the regular season in sixth place before catching fire and reaching the AHA championship game. With the quarterfinal series against Holy Cross tied 1-1, goalie Jordan Tibbet stopped all twenty-eight Crusader shots to preserve the 1-0 victory. In the semifinals the Lakers bested the Huskies of UConn, 4-1, setting up the pivotal game with with the Griffs. Ultimately, however, another AHA championship was not meant to be as a disastrous second period doomed the Lakers. Canisius' win propelled their program into the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. Coach Gotkin would say after the championship game, "The second period was an absolute schmozzle. I've been doing this a long time and it was one of the craziest periods of hockey I've ever been a part of. It was a nightmare second period for us." 2013-2014 Season Schedule Drafted Players on Roster: None Key Games
Jan. 23 and 25 vs Canisius
Feb. 7-8 @ Air Force
Feb. 21-22 vs Niagara
Players to Watch
Matthew Zay, F, Jr: Finished the 2012-13 winning the AHA scoring title. Named to the Atlantic Hockey Association Third Team. He had at least one point in 26 contests, nine multiple-point games, and two separate scoring streaks of seven consecutive games during the season.
Daniel O'Donoghue, F, Sr: Captain of the team. He finished third on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points. Had career-highs in goals (12), assists (24), points (36), plus/minus rating (+15), and shorthanded goals (3).
Jordan Tibbet, G, RS-Jr: Started 15 games in goal last season, finishing with a 7-7-1 record. He replaces departed starting netminder Max Strang. Last year he posted a .925 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average.
Mercyhurst History Greatest Players:
Gary Bowels, G: Bowels was the first goalie in program history. During his four years, Mercyhurst went a combined 64-44-6. He still holds the records for most wins (56), most minutes played (5627:55), and most games played (101). He was the goaltender of record when the Lakers won their first playoff game, a 5-4 triumph at Elmira March 8, 1991. He was chosen team captain in both his junior and senior seasons, and played in 101 of 114 games in his four years. Of those 114 games, only 35 were played in Erie.
Scott Burfoot, F: He set nearly every team-scoring record during his career, including most goals, points and assists. In his junior year, 1990-91, Burfoot led all college/university players in points with 96. Twice named ECAC West Player of the Year, 1990-91 and 1991-92, he continued his brilliance on the ice as a member of the Erie Panthers, leading the East Coast Hockey League in points in 1994-95.
Note: These are the only two hockey inductees, along with the 2000-01 team, in the Mercyhurst Hall of Fame. If you believe there are other "greatest" players, please let me know who they are and I will add them to the list. Greatest Coaches:
Rick Gotkin, 453-323-65 (266-213-50 in Division I): Coach Gotkin returns to Mercyhurst for his 26th year behind the bench. Taking over the program in its second season, Gotkin is the the only coach in NCAA history to lead a school to the NCAA Tournament at all three levels. He has guided the Lakers to more than 400 wins, six NCAA tournament appearance, and four league championships. In his distinguished career he has produced seven All-Americans, four ECAC (Division III) Players of the Year, three ECAC Rookies of the Year, five MAAC First-Team selections, 20 AHA All-Conference selections, and two AHA Rookies of the Year. In 2001, he was named MAAC Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award.
Greatest Games:
Mar. 17, 2001 vs Quinnipiac, 6-5: Mercyhurst pounced on two defensive breakdowns with ten minutes remaining to claim their first MAAC title. Eric Ellis beat goalie Justin Eddy to tie the game with nine minutes left, and Mike Carter got the winner when two Quinnipiac defensemen went after Ellis in the corner. Ellis fed an open Carter in front with 6:48 left. The MAAC championship secured a spot in the NCAA Tournment, the first time the program had made it to the tournament at the Division I level. The Lakers faced vaunted Michigan in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Despite stopping 47 Wolverine shots, goalie Peter Aubry and his Mercyhurst teammates were unable to pull off the upset, losing 4-3.
Mar. 23, 2003 vs Quinnipiac, 4-3: Defenseman T.J. Kemp scored on the power play with 11:15 remaining to break a 3-3 tie with the Bobcats to earn the second MAAC championship in program history. Laker David Wrigley was named tournament MVP. A week later the Lakers clashed with eventual NCAA champion Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA tournament, ultimately falling by a score of 9-2.
Mar. 19, 2005 vs Quinnipiac, 3-2 OT: Mercyhurst overcame two separate deficits en route to their first AHA championship. Tournament MVP Scott Champagne scored the game winning goal 4:56 into overtime. The win propelled the Lakers to their third appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament in five years. Facing Boston College in the opening round, the Lakers' Mike Ella made 52 saves against the Eagles, three short of the NCAA record for a non-overtime game. The Lakers would not be able to pull off the victory, however, losing 5-4.
School and City Information City Population: 101,047 School History Mercyhurst University is a Catholic liberal arts college.
In 1926, Mercyhurst College opened its doors on a wind-swept hill overlooking Lake Erie, just a few blocks away from the city's southern boundary. Today, the college is in its 87th year after being founded by the Sisters of Mercy of the Erie Catholic Diocese, who were led by Mother M. Borgia Egan, first president of Mercyhurst College. In Mercyhurst history, five dates stand out above all others: Sept. 20, 1926, when the college opened; Oct. 5, 1928, when the school received its charter; Feb. 3, 1969, when the board of trustees voted to admit the first class of men to Mercyhurst; March 27, 1991, when the 100-year old Redemptorist Seminary in North East, Pennsylvania was purchased for use as the North East campus; and May 28, 2005, when Mercyhurst College purchased a 405-acre site in Girard, formerly the site of the Divine Word Seminary, as the future site of Mercyhurst West, now in operation in a temporary facility in Girard, Pennsylvania. In 2012, Mercyhurst College officially became Mercyhurst University and opened an academic center in Dungarvan, Ireland.
Source Traditions I am not aware of any traditions, but if anyone is please let me know. Local Dining: Head over to Peach Street, a seven minute drive from campus. There you will find multiple restaurants and stores.
Presque Isle Downs is a casino and horse racing track just south of Erie.
Random Trivia:
Rowing is the only other men's sport that competes at the Division I level.
All other sports compete in Division II, primarily in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
The music contest at the beginning of the film That Thing You Do! was filmed at Mercyhurst. The fictional band The Wonders were depicted as residents of Erie.
Academics Mercyhurst offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with 67 concentrations as well as unique adult programs and eight graduate degrees. Its main 75-acre campus is set in Erie, the state's only port city; the campus is approximately 100 miles from Cleveland, OH and Buffalo, NY and 130 miles north of Pittsburgh, PA. The university is comprised of five schools:
The School of Arts & Humanities
The Walker School of Business & Communication
The Hafenmaier School of Education & Behavioral Sciences
The Zurn School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
The School of Social Sciences
Mercyhurst is best known for its programs in archaeology and forensic anthropology, intelligence (Institute for Intelligence Studies and Center for Information Research Analysis and Training), forensic science, dance, music, and art therapy. Notable Alumni: James "Buster" Douglas: Former undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion. Knocked out previously undefeated champion Mike Tyson, who was considered to be the best boxer in the world. Meghan Agosta: Two-time Olympic gold medal winner with for the Canadian women's ice hockey team. In 2010 she was named MVP of the Olympic women's tournament in Vancouver. What is and what is to come Expectations are high in Erie to begin the season. The Lakers were picked second in the AHA Coaches poll behind Niagara and tied with Air Force. Falling in the AHA championship to Canisius has left a bitter taste in the players' mouths. Eight of their top ten scorers return this season; their top three forwards (Jay, O'Donohue, and Ryan Misiak) all return as does most of their defense, led by senior Nick Jones and junior Tyler Shiplo. The only question remains in goal with Tibbett; how he performs will account for how far this team is able to go. It's been eight years since Mercyhurst's last appearance in the NCAA tournament. Can they get over the hump this year and make it back? That remains to be seen. Last year's run to the AHA championship showed that they are a team to be wary of: This year the Lakers will play 25 games against schools currently ranked in the USCHO.com poll. The challenging schedule, coupled with the experience from their AHA tournament run last year, should prove invaluable. Coach Gotkin knows what he's doing. He's built the program from the beginning and has consistently put winning teams on the ice for twenty-six years. I can't imagine that they would have a significant drop off as long as he is coaching. Miscellaneous
Mercyhurst women's hockey also competes in Division I and have appeared numerous times in the NCAA tournament. They have reached the Frozen Four on three occasions (2009, 2010, 2013). In 2009 they finished as runners-up, falling to Wisconsin in the final, 0-5. In 2011 Mercyhurst hosted the women's Frozen Four at Erie Insurance Arena, home of the Erie Otters of the OHL and Erie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League.
Note: I'm not a student or graduate of Mercyhurst. All of this information was culled from around the internet. I can count on one hand the times I've been to Erie. It's a strange but lovely city. Credit to JohnDoeMonopoly for heading the project. I'm a little late to the party, I realize, but I was surprised to see how many teams were not profiled. These are fun to make and it's interesting to learn about schools I have only been vaguely aware of in the past. Thanks for reading!
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