Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
NBA Playoff Push 2026: One Down, 19 to Go
As I mentioned in my first story about the Stanley Cup Playoff race, the month of March is a very eventful one in sports. It's not just the NHL that enters the home stretch, it's also the National Basketball Association as well. Here's the thing: those of you who have read my stories in the near five years that I've been writing on Vocal notice something. I hardly write about the NBA. I mention the NFL, NHL, and MLB a lot, and I write about the CFL, but not the NBA. The reason is this: the NBA's lack of parity let me down for years. The only time I mention the NBA here is when I do game-by-game recaps of the NBA Finals.
By Clyde E. Dawkins15 days ago in Unbalanced
Ready for the Stretch
It was a very interesting and fruitful Saturday for this hockey and wrestling fan. On that day, Chicago's United Center hosted the annual Elimination Chamber event, which serves as the final PPV (or PLE) stop before WrestleMania. While that was going on, the Colorado Avalanche hosted the Chicago Blackhawks, with the Avs donning the division rivalry alternates for the second straight game. The Avs were coming off a terrible loss to the Minnesota Wild, so we were looking to take that out on somebody.
By Clyde E. Dawkins16 days ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Playoff Push 2026: Charge!!!
It's here, folks! The month of March is here! You know the drill when it comes to the month of March. It's one of the most insane months of the year in sports. Baseball starts at the end of the month, as does the United Football League. College basketball takes over with conference tournaments, followed by the big dance, and in the NHL and NBA, it's the last full month of the regular season. In both leagues, March plays the same role as September in MLB and December in the NFL: it's the beginning of the end.
By Clyde E. Dawkins16 days ago in Unbalanced
A Cacophony of Shenanigans
The Colorado Avalanche's resumption began with a 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth, win #38 of the season. We were back to work on the following night, this time at home, but still facing a division foe. In this case, it's our oldest division rival: the Minnesota Wild. Our third meeting of the season against Minnesota, but it's the first time that the Avs hosted the Wild, as the previous two meetings were in Minnesota. It is also the second time that the NHL's top two defensemen, Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes, battled each other this season (the third if you count the Gold Medal Game this year).
By Clyde E. Dawkins17 days ago in Unbalanced
A Blunt and Endearing Letter to Pittsburgh Steelers Fans
To any and all fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it has to be said: you guys are screwed. I'm sensing a trend here. First off, let's talk about the concept of "secondary teams." Many sports fans say they have that second team other than their favorite that they love. As for me, I kinda do, but I kinda don't. I'm a diehard Packers fan, but if I did have a secondary team in the NFL, it would be the Steelers. There was always something about how the Steelers carried themselves. Gritty, tough, never doing things the easy way. They're basically the Packers of the AFC.
By Clyde E. Dawkins19 days ago in Unbalanced
Back to Action
What an Olympics, am I right?! The 2026 Winter Games in Milan saw the NHL players participate for the first time in a dozen years, and regarding the Colorado Avalanche, eight of our players were in Milan representing five countries. Six of the eight left Milan with medals. Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Kiviranta received Bronze Medals representing Finland. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews received Silver Medals representing Canada, and Brock Nelson received a Gold Medal representing the United States.
By Clyde E. Dawkins19 days ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Falls to Pleasantville and Irvington
Scroll just below for photos vs Irvington John Jay Falls to Precision Shooting of Irvington Click image for photos On Monday February 9, Irvington came up from the river and was far from all wet. Opening with a 12-2 lead, the Bulldogs bite from outside was a dagger the Wolves couldn’t match
By Rich Monetti20 days ago in Unbalanced
Somers Core Fore Shines at the County Center
Scroll to end for photos On Saturday February 7, the Somers Wrestling team embarked on a two day journey to the County Center and reaching the state tournament was on the agenda. Three qualifiers in total and three more hanging medals around their necks, Coach Ron DiSanto expressed pride beyond the podium.
By Rich Monetti20 days ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche easily Advances to Section One Finals
Scroll to end for photos On Wednesday January 28, the Avalanche laced up their skates and faced the Rockland Rockies for the semi final round of the sectionals. At the Brewster Ice Arena, the Avalanche didn’t wait long to start. They were on the board after only 18 seconds, and the tone set, Marcela Maurice was left beaming all the camaraderie that paved the way for an easy 8-0 victory.
By Rich Monetti21 days ago in Unbalanced
Somers Cheerleaders are on a Roll
See Photos at end of Article Cheerleader Team Aims for National Championship On Wednesday, Nov. 19, SYSO Cheerleading held its annual showcase at Somers Intermediate School. With a gym full of enthusiastic parents, 147 athletes from six age groups took center stage. Those include the Tiny Tuskers (K-2), D8, D10 small, D10 large, and D12, but the 14D finale served as a preview of bigger things to come in early December.
By Rich Monetti22 days ago in Unbalanced
Recapping the 2026 Gold Medal Game
February 22, 1980. Every American knows that date. Every diehard hockey fan knows that date. The ragtag American team took the ice at Lake Placid against the heavily favored heavyweight Soviet Union team. Against all odds, the US won that game, 4-3, and made the career of this announcer named Al Michaels, who spouted the famous, "Do you believe in miracles?!" line. The US went on to defeat Finland to win the Gold Medal.
By Clyde E. Dawkins23 days ago in Unbalanced
Johnny Gaudreau: A Small Star Who Skated Big Dreams
Hockey has always loved its giants. Big bodies. Heavy hits. Long reaches. For years, size felt like destiny in the NHL. If you were smaller than the rest, you were expected to fight twice as hard just to stay on the ice.
By Muqadas khan23 days ago in Unbalanced
