Just Warming Up
The day started off with a bang with the various World Cup warm up friendlies. Serbia was shocked by New Zealand, Spain had to win in injury time against Saudi Arabia, and the United States bounced back from a sluggish first half to beat Turkey.
Perfect Roy
If you looked at the schedule today, I guess it doesn't come as any surprise it was so eventful. Probably the biggest news of the day, which is trumping the others on the ESPN front page, is Roy Halladay recording the 20th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. Only weeks after Dallas Braden recorded number 19, Halladay put on a performance for the ages against the Marlins. This will probably pump some life into a struggling Phillies team. Honestly if he hadn't pitched that perfect game, they probably would have lost that game, after only recording one run during the spectacular nine inning display by Halladay.
Commencing Quest for the Cup
The Blackhawks and Flyers continued a crazy day of sports when they played Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The first period started out with a five goal first period, with Philadelphia leading 3-2 at intermission. The result of the first period was reversed in the second with Chicago tying the game up 5-5, before Tomas Kopecky scored the winner. The Blackhawks retained their home ice advantage and will look to continue their stellar run on Monday in the House That Jordan Built(United Center).
Closing it out in Style
Next up was Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals between the Lakers and the Suns. A lot was being made of how the Lakers had never lost a series after leading two games to nothing. They continued their streak with a nice 111-103 victory over the Suns. Much like the hockey game, the first quarter started off with a bang, both teams combining for 71 points, the Lakers winning that period 37-34. They then stormed into the halftime break with a twelve point lead. They continued to cruise through the third period, but had to fend off a feisty Phoenix side who outscored the Lakers 29-20 in the fourth, but it was all but in vain. Kobe Bryant, and Game 5 hero Ron Artest put up 37 and 25 respectively and led the Lakers to yet another finals showdown with the Boston Celtics. It may not be to the caliber of a Bird and Magic finals showdown, but Kobe's Lakers will have to put up against a very balanced Celtics squad.
Bad Blood Comes to a Boil
The nightcap, which I had been waiting a long time for, ended with Rashad Evans outpointing a rusty Quinton Jackson at UFC 114. The event was filled with surprises, questionable decisions, and the emergence of a few young stars. Rashad Evans though was the better fighter in the main event, and used his speed and wrestling advantage to get the nod against Jackson. The fight started off with a bang when Evans landed a shot that rocked Rampage. The next two rounds consisted of a lot of clinching by the fighters up against the cage, and a few take downs by Rashad Evans. The third round, and easily the highlight of the fight, was back and forth. Rampage pressed Evans and knocked him down. He followed him, proceeded to land shots, but eventually couldn't hold Evans down any longer. Rampage then proceeded to circle and let Rashad recover, which would eventually lead to a take down and Evans landing significant shots before the bell. Rashad Evans is now in line to take on the newly crowned light heavyweight champion, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, which will be a fight for the ages.
It's not very often that a day of sports delivers like today, which is what I live for.
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