Wahoo Wire

Wednesday April 13

Champions League: Schalke 04 vs. Internazionale

Let me first say that I am not highlighting this as a must see match from start to finish because from the beginning Inter looks to have dug itself a hole way too deep.  Already conceding 5 goals at home to the German squad Schalke 04, it appears as if another German team will be returning to the Semi-Finals of the Champions League Knockout Phase.  But who knows what the defending champs have in store on the road.  Even if they were to go up 3-0, it would not be enough because Inter already conceded 5 away goals, but it may be worth it to tune into the game for a few minutes to see if the returning champs can muster up an unlikely rally.  Either way, there were 7 goals scored in the first leg of this matchup.  For you anti-soccer fans out there, this was like watching the 2004 Phoenix Suns when they put up 110 points per game.  This is really exciting to watch, so if you have nothing better to do, you might flip of the tube and catch some entertaining ‘football’.

NHL Playoffs

I am not going to pretend that I am an avid hockey fan or that I even completely understand that rules of the game so I apologize to you hockey fans that I cannot do an in-depth preview.  That being said, I am including the NHL playoffs on here because it is guaranteed to be worth your time.  Expect your games worth of dirty hits, penalties, and fights.  Wednesday night features the Presidents’ Trophy Winners (Best Regular-Season Record) in the Vancouver Canucks as they take on the defending champions Chicago Blackhawks.  Also on Wednesday night is the opening game for the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals series.  Flashback to last year in the first-round of the playoffs when the Montreal Canadiens knocked off the Eastern Conference 1-seed and advanced all the way to the Conference Finals.  Remember that?  Yeah, well Washington is back in the playoffs as the 1-seed so make sure you watch the Caps take on the Rangers and see if they can fare better this year and make it out of the first-round.  Enjoy the beginning of the NHL playoffs and if you don’t like hockey at least give it a chance.  I know I am going to, because the playoffs always make everything more entertaining.

Saturday April 17

Men’s Lacrosse: Duke (10) vs. UVA (7)

The men’s lacrosse heads down to Durham to take on Duke Saturday at 12:00 pm for their regular season finale.  Looking to avenge last year’s heartbreaking 13-14 defeat in the NCAA semis, the Cavaliers are sure to be fired up for this one.  Coming off of an impressive 11-10 overtime victory over North Carolina last Saturday, Virginia is looking to close out ACC regular season play with a victory before they head back down to Durham next weekend for the ACC Championship.  If you get ESPNU, tune in Saturday at 12 to catch this must-see contest.

Saturday and Sunday (April 16 and April 17)

NBA Playoffs

While it is too early to tell what the final matchups will look like, all the spots have been clinched and it looks like it should be an exciting year for the playoffs.  Since I cannot tell you specifically what to watch, I will give a broad overview based on the current matchups assuming they do not change in the next 30 hours or so.  You should be highly anticipating the Boston vs. New York matchup in the East.  With Carmelo in the East and the Celtics fading in the second half of the season, this should definitely be an interesting matchup.  This old rivalry will certainly be renewed since the Knicks are finally returning to the playoffs.  I wouldn’t be shocked if the Celtics are upset in the first-round, but I would not put any money on that.  The matchups in the West will be finalized after Wednesday’s games, but Lakers-Blazers series could be a fun one to watch.  Also, the young and talented Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Durant always seem to be an entertaining squad that is full of energy.  They look like they will be matched up against the Denver Nuggets who have looked downright impressive after losing their leading scorer Carmelo Anthony.  Regardless, March Madness has passed and it is the NBA playoffs.  This is when the games matter and the players actually start trying really hard.  Don’t miss the first round of games this weekend.