The Puck Drops Here 6.13.16: Lake Erie Monsters, Calder Cup Champions!

By Chris Lulovics, @CLulovics

That's right you all read that title of this article right. The Lake Erie Monsters the farm club of the Columbus Blue Jackets are your NEW Calder Cup Champions for the first time since 1964. In front of a sellout crowd of over 19,000 fans at Quicken Loans Arena, the Monsters completed the sweep of the Hersey Bears in front of the biggest hockey crowd to ever witness a game in Ohio (19,665) and claimed their 10th Calder Cup in the process.

Led by 18 year old phenom Zach Werenski who is so calm with the puck leading the power play. Goalie Anton Forsberg who spent time with Columbus earlier in the season, was undefeated after becoming the starter in round 2. I can list a bunch of players but none was bigger than Oliver Bjorkstrand. Where should I start with that kid? 10 goals 6 assists for 16 points in 17 games good enough? How about adding 6 game winning goals (which tied an AHL record) or how about his 3 overtime goals in a single postseason? Those efforts were good enough to have Bjorkstrand named the MVP of the Calder Cup Finals.

And how about this Lake Erie team? First year as the affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets and they did not disappoint all year. Once they got to the playoffs they swept their first round matchup against the Rockford Icehogs. Then won 4-2 against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Finally in the Western Conference Championship they swept the defending AHL Champions Ontario Reign 4-0. Facing the Hersey Bears in the Finals many thought it would go 6 or 7 games given Hersey's experience but that wasn't the case as the Monsters won 4-0 including a thrilling 1-0 OT win to clinch it at home.

The Q was rocking Saturday night. Next season should bring tons of excitement to Cleveland and Columbus as the future is really bright for the Blue Jackets. But right now celebrate Cleveland. It might not be a "major franchise" sport, but this puts Cleveland on the map for something positive.

As always #BattleTogether #CarryTheFlag #CBJ #AllOfUs #Monsters and most importantly #CalderCupChamions

TV Weekend 6.10 - 6.11

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

America's Got Talent (FRI, NBC, 8pm)
Undercover Boss (FRI, CBS, 8pm)
New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXS TV, 8pm)
Masters Of Illusion (FRI, The CW, 8pm & 8:30pm)

Real Time With Bill Maher (FRI, HBO, 10pm)
Outcast (FRI, Cinemax, 10pm)
ELeague (FRI, TBS, 10pm)

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30 For 30: O.J.: Made In America, Part 1 of 5 (SAT, ABC, 9pm)
Outlander (SAT, STARZ, 9pm)

======

NBA FINALS
Jimmy Kimmel Live (FRI, ABC, 8pm)
NBA Countdown (FRI, ABC, 8:30pm)
Warriors @ Cavaliers, Game 4 (FRI, ABC, 9pm)

MLB
Cardinals @ Pirates OR Tigers @ Yankees (FRI, MLB, 7pm)
Dodgers @ Giants OR Rangers @ Mariners (FRI, MLB, 10pm)
Indians @ Angels (FRI, STO, 10pm)

Phillies @ Nationals (SAT, MLB, 12pm)
Cubs @ Braves OR Mets @ Brewers (SAT, MLB, 4pm)
Cardinals @ Pirates (SAT, FOX, 7pm)
Indians @ Angels (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 10pm)

HOCKEY
AHL Calder Cup Finals: Hershey Bears @ Lake Erie Monsters (SAT, WUAB Cleveland, 7pm)

MMA & BOXING
AXS TV Fights; CES MMA 36: Felix vs. Sanders II (FRI, AXS TV, 9pm)

NASCAR & RACING
Camping World Truck Series: Rattlesnake 400 (FRI, FOX Sports 1, 9pm)
XFINITY Series: Menards 250 (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 1:30pm)

SOCCER
2016 Copa America Centenario: Chile vs. Bolivia (FRI, FOX, 7pm)
2016 Copa America Centenario: Argentina vs. Panama (FRI, FOX, 9:30pm)

2016 UEFA European Championship: Wales vs. Slovakia (SAT, ESPN, 11:30am)
2016 UEFA European Championship: England vs. Russia (SAT, ESPN, 2:30pm)
2016 Copa America Centenario: United States vs. Paraguay (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 7pm)

GOLF
2016 Women's PGA Championship, Third Round (SAT, NBC, 2pm)
FedEx St. Jude Classic, Third Round (SAT, CBS, 3pm)

OTHER SPORTS
College Track and Field: NCAA Men's and Women's Outdoor Championships (FRI, ESPN, 8:30pm)
Horse Racing: 148th Belmont Stakes (SAT, NBC, 5pm)
Arena Football: Jacksonville Sharks @ Tampa Bay Storm (SAT, CBS SportsNet, 5pm)
College Track and Field: NCAA Men's and Women's Outdoor Championships (SAT, ESPN, 6:30pm)

TV Weekend 3.25 - 3.26

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

Caught on Camera With Nick Cannon (FRI, NBC, 8pm)
Last Man Standing (FRI, ABC, 8pm)
Sleepy Hollow (FRI, FOX, 8pm)
The Vampire Diaries (FRI, The CW, 8pm)
Dr. Ken (FRI, ABC, 8:30pm)

New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXSTV, 9pm)
Grimm (FRI, NBC, 9pm)
Shark Tank (FRI, ABC, 9pm)
Second Chance (FRI, FOX, 9pm)
The Originals (FRI, The CW, 9pm)

Real Time With Bill Maher (FRI, HBO, 10pm)
Burgers Brew & Que (FRI, Food Network, 10:30pm)

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The Ten Commandments (SAT, ABC, 8pm)
Black Sails (SAT, Starz, 9pm)
Saturday Night Live (SAT, NBC, 11:30pm)

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NBA
Hornets @ Pistons (FRI, NBA TV, 7:30pm)

Cavaliers @ Knicks (SAT, FOX Sports Ohio, 7:30pm)
Spurs @ Thunder (SAT, NBA TV, 8pm)

2016 NCAA TOURNAMENT
Iowa State vs. Virginia (FRI, CBS, 7pm)
Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (FRI, TBS, 7:25pm)
Gonzaga vs. Syracuse (FRI, CBS, 9:40pm)
Indiana vs. North Carolina (FRI, TBS, 9:50pm)

Oklahoma vs. Oregon (SAT, CBS, 6pm)
Villanova vs. Kansas (SAT, CBS, 8:49pm)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WOMENS: Syracuse vs. South Carolina (FRI, ESPN, 7pm)
WOMENS: Washington vs. Kentucky (FRI, ESPN 2, 7pm)
WOMENS: Stanford vs. Notre Dame (FRI, ESPN, 9:30pm)
WOMENS: Tennessee vs. Ohio State (FRI, ESPN 2, 9:30pm)

WOMENS: Mississippi State vs. Connecticut (SAT, ESPN, 11:30am)
WOMENS: UCLA vs. Texas (SAT, ESPN, 2:30pm)
NCAA Division II Tournament Final: (SAT, CBS, 3pm)
WOMENS: Florida State vs. Baylor (SAT, ESPN, 4pm)
WOMENS: DePaul vs. Oregon State (SAT, ESPN, 6pm)

MLB PRESEASON
Red Sox @ Orioles (SAT, MLB, 1pm)
Giants @ Cubs (SAT, MLB, 4pm)

NHL
AHL: Rockford IceHogs @ Lake Erie Monsters (FRI, FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
Islanders @ Lightning (FRI, NHL Network, 7:30pm)

Rangers @ Canadiens (SAT, NHL, 7pm)
Blue Jackets @ Predators (SAT, FOX Sports Cincinnati, 8pm)

MMA & BOXING
BOXING: Regis Prograis vs. Aaron Herrera (FRI, Showtime, 10:30pm)

BOXING: Sullivan Barrera vs. Andre Ward (SAT, HBO, 9:45pm)

SOCCER
International Friendly: Germany vs. England (SAT, ESPN 2, 3:30pm)

GOLF
WGC-Dell Match Play, Quarterfinals (SAT, NBC, 2pm)

OTHER SPORTS
College Softball: Florida @ LSU (SAT, ESPN 2, 12pm)
Skiing: US Alpine Championships: Super G (SAT, NBC, 12:30pm)
College Lacrosse: Georgetown @ Marquette (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 1pm)
College Softball: Texas @ Baylor (SAT, ESPN 2, 9pm)

TV Weekend 3.18 - 3.19

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

Caught on Camera With Nick Cannon (FRI, NBC, 8pm)
Last Man Standing (FRI, ABC, 8pm)
Sleepy Hollow (FRI, FOX, 8pm)
The Amazing Race (FRI, CBS, 8pm)
The Vampire Diaries (FRI, The CW, 8pm)
Dr. Ken (FRI, ABC, 8:30pm)

New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXSTV, 9pm)
Grimm (FRI, NBC, 9pm)
Shark Tank (FRI, ABC, 9pm)
Second Chance (FRI, FOX, 9pm)
Hawaii Five-0 (FRI, CBS, 9pm)
The Originals (FRI, The CW, 9pm)

Blue Bloods (FRI, CBS, 10pm)
Real Time With Bill Maher (FRI, HBO, 10pm)
Burgers Brew & Que (FRI, Food Network, 10:30pm)

------

Black Sails (SAT, Starz, 9pm)
Saturday Night Live (SAT, NBC, 11:30pm)

======

NBA
Cavaliers @ Magic (FRI, FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
Celtics @ Raptors (FRI, NBA TV, 7:30pm)

Cavaliers @ Heat (SAT, FOX Sports Ohio, 7:30pm)
Warriors @ Spurs (SAT, ABC, 8:30pm)

2016 NCAA TOURNAMENT
CSU Bakersfield vs. Oklahoma (FRI, TNT, 4pm)
South Dakota State vs. Maryland (FRI, TBS, 4:30pm)
Pittsburgh vs. Wisconsin (FRI, TNT, 6:50pm)
Stephen F. Austin vs. West Virginia (FRI, CBS, 7:10pm)
Green Bay vs. Texas A&M (FRI, TBS, 7:20pm)
vs. Oregon (FRI, TruTV, 7:27pm)
Weber State vs. Xavier (FRI, TNT, 9:20pm)
vs. Notre Dame (FRI, CBS, 9:40pm)
Northern Iowa vs. Texas (FRI, TBS, 9:50pm)
Cincinnati vs. Saint Joseph's (FRI, TruTV, 9:57pm)

Wichita State vs. Miami (SAT, CBS, 12pm)
Yale vs. Duke (SAT, CBS, 2:40pm)
Indiana vs. Kentucky (SAT, CBS, 5:15pm)
Arkansas-Little Rock vs. Iowa State (SAT, TNT, 6:10pm)
Butler vs. Virginia (SAT, TBS, 7:10pm)
Connecticut vs. Kansas (SAT, CBS, 7:45pm)
Gonzaga vs. Utah (SAT, TNT, 8:40pm)
Providence vs. North Carolina (SAT, TBS, 9:40pm)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WOMENS: First Round Whip Around Coverage (FRI, ESPN 2, 5pm)
WOMENS: First Round Whip Around Coverage (FRI, ESPN 2, 7:30pm)

WOMENS: Robert Morris vs. Connecticut (SAT, ESPN 2, 11am)
NIT: (SAT, ESPN, 12pm)
WOMENS: First Round Whip Around Coverage (SAT, ESPN 2, 1:30pm)
WOMENS: First Round Whip Around Coverage (SAT, ESPN 2, 3:30pm)
WOMENS: First Round Whip Around Coverage (SAT, ESPN 2, 6:30pm)
WOMENS: First Round Whip Around Coverage (SAT, ESPN 2, 8:30pm)

MLB PRESEASON
Mets @ Nationals (SAT, MLB Network, 1pm)
Rockies @ Padres (SAT, MLB Network, 4pm)

NHL
AHL: Manitoba Moose @ Lake Erie Monsters (FRI, STO, 7pm)
Blackhawks @ Jets (FRI, NHL Network, 8pm)

Devils @ Blue Jackets (SAT, FOX Sports Cincinnati, 7pm)
Red Wings @ Panthers (SAT, NHL Network, 7pm)

MMA & BOXING
UFC Fight Night, Hunt vs. Mir (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 8pm)

NASCAR & RACING
XFINITY Series: California 300 (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 4pm)

TENNIS
BNP Paribas Open, Men's Semifinals (SAT, ESPN, 2pm)

GOLF
Arnold Palmer Invitational, Third Round (SAT, NBC, 2:30pm)

OTHER SPORTS
College Wrestling (FRI, ESPN, 8pm)

FIS Alpine Skiing: Audi World Cup Final, Women's Slalom (SAT, NBC, 1pm)
English Premier League Soccer: Swansea City AFC vs. Aston Villa FC (SAT, NBC Sports, 1:30pm)
Bundesliga Soccer: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Hannover 96 (SAT, FOX, 1:30pm)
College Wrestling (SAT, ESPN, 8pm)

The Puck Drops Here 3.9.16: Blue Jackets Review #CBJ

By Chris Lulovics, @CLulovics


Well, the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone. The Blue Jackets decided it was best to stay put and not risk the future of the team. Sure many GM's around the league were calling the front office of the Jackets inquiring about the many young talents the team has but why risk the future for a rental player or draft picks for players who may not work out?

As the past couple of seasons have shown, the team has been playing their best hockey the past couple of months and have shown that this is the team that many expected to see back in October.  Sure, they had the worst record in the NHL and were almost a lock for the #1 pick in the upcoming draft, but the team never laid down and never quit.  Head coach John Tortorella said the process wouldn't be a short overnight fix.  If these past two months have shown anything, its that this team can play like a top tier team. If they can play like this at the early months, then the playoffs are in the future for this young team.

Scott Hartnell, who was rumored to be traded to the Nashville Predators at the deadline, currently leads the team in points and third in goals with a stat line of 21 goals, 22 assists and 43 points. Brandon Saad is tied for the team lead in goals, while coming in second for total points with 24 goals, 17 assists and 41 points. The 24 goals for Saad is a new career high for him in his first season with the team coming in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.  Cam Atkinson is third in points while contributing 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points. Boone Jenner is having a good year after last seasons injury plagued campaign 24 goals 14 assists for 38 points. Rookie goaltender and Lake Erie Monster call up Joonas Korpisalo, in the absence of Sergei Bobrovsky who is still out with a groin injury, has been nothing but spectacular while being thrown into a situation that he along with many were not expecting him to be in this season.

The Lake Erie Monsters, who in their past ten games are 5-3-0-2, are currently sitting in the playoffs and playing some of their best hockey even with call ups coming from the bigger club.  The future is still bright with the Monsters playing the way they have been and if they can bring the type of play down there up to the NHL then winning ways should be coming back to Columbus.



As always CARRY THE FLAG, MARCH ON, WE ARE THE FIFTH LINE, ALL OF US and see you guys either at Nationwide Arena in Columbus or in downtown Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena.

TV Weekend 2.19 - 2.20

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

Caught on Camera With Nick Cannon (FRI, NBC, 8pm)
Last Man Standing (FRI, ABC, 8pm)
Sleepy Hollow (FRI, FOX, 8pm)
The Amazing Race (FRI, CBS, 8pm)
The Vampire Diaries (FRI, The CW, 8pm)
Dr. Ken (FRI, ABC, 8:30pm)

New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXSTV, 9pm)
Grimm (FRI, NBC, 9pm)
Shark Tank (FRI, ABC, 9pm)
Second Chance (FRI, FOX, 9pm)
Hawaii Five-0 (FRI, CBS, 9pm)
The Originals (FRI, The CW, 9pm)

Blue Bloods (FRI, CBS, 10pm)
Real Time With Bill Maher (FRI, HBO, 10pm)
Burgers Brew & Que (FRI, Food Network, 10:30pm)

------

Doctor Who (SAT, BBC America, 9pm)
Black Sails (SAT, Starz, 9pm)
Saturday Night Live (SAT, NBC, 11:30pm)

======

NBA
Pacers @ Thunder (FRI, ESPN, 8pm)
Celtics @ Jazz (FRI, ESPN, 10:30pm)

Warriors @ Clippers (SAT, ABC, 8:30pm)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Akron @ Kent State (FRI, ESPNU, 6pm)
Richmond @ VCU (FRI, ESPN 2, 7pm)

Xavier @ Georgetown (SAT, FOX, 12pm)
Duke @ Louisville (SAT, ESPN, 12pm)
Georgia @ Vanderbilt (SAT, ESPN 2, 12pm)
St. Bonaventure @ Dayton (SAT, NBC Sports, 12pm)

Miami @ North Carolina (SAT, CBS, 1pm)
Penn State @ Rutgers (SAT, ESPNU, 1pm)
Baylor @ Texas (SAT, ESPN, 2pm)
Pittsburgh @ Syracuse (SAT, ESPN 2, 2pm)
Saint Joseph's @ Davidson (SAT, NBC Sports, 2pm)
Buter @ Villanova (SAT, FOX, 2:30pm)

Oklahoma @ West Virginia (SAT, ESPN, 4pm)
Connecticut @ Cincinnati (SAT, ESPN 2, 4pm)
LSU @ Tennessee (SAT, ESPNU, 5:30pm)
Kansas @ Kansas State (SAT, ESPN 2, 6pm)
Kentucky @ Texas A&M (SAT, ESPN, 6:30pm)

Ohio State @ Nebraska (SAT, Big Ten, 7pm)
TCU @ Iowa State (SAT, ESPNU, 7:30pm)
Notre Dame @ Georgia Tech (SAT, ESPN 2, 8pm)
Purdue @ Indiana (SAT, ESPN, 8:30pm)
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State (SAT, ESPNU, 9:30pm)
Saint Mary's @ Gonzaga (SAT, ESPN 2, 10pm)

NHL
Sabres @ Blue Jackets (FRI, FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
Flyers @ Canadiens (FRI, NHL Network, 7:30pm)

AHL: San Antonio Rampage @ Lake Erie Monsters (SAT, FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
Bruins @ Stars (SAT, NHL Network, 8pm)

MMA & BOXING
Bellator MMA Live: Shamrock vs. Gracie (FRI, Spike, 9pm)
World Series of Fighting 28 (SAT, NBC Sports, 9pm)

NASCAR & RACING
Camping World Truck Series: NextEra Energy Resources 250 (FRI, FOX Sports 1, 7:30pm)
Jeff Gordon's Daytona 500 Kickoff Celebration (SAT, FOX, 9pm)

GOLF
Northern Trust Open, Third Round (SAT, CBS, 3pm)

OTHER SPORTS
World of X Games: Real Ski 2016 (SAT, ABC, 2pm)
FIS Alpine Skiing (SAT, NBC, 3pm)
Skating @ Gymnastics Spectacular (SAT, ABC, 3pm)
Figure Skating: Four Continents Championships (SAT, NBC, 4pm)

The Puck Drops Here 1.18.16 #BlueJackets #CBJ #NHLAllStar

By @CLulovics


Where to start? Well at the start of the year a lot of people from GM'S, broadcasters, national writers and television personal predicted that the Columbus Blue Jackets would be back to their former form and make the playoffs. As of January 16th, the team is in last place and it all appears to look like everyone was wrong. But weirder things have happened, just like in any professional sport. So we can't count this team out just yet.

Some of the good news this year has to be Brandon Saad. Saad is having a career year in goals and is currently on pace to set a new high in that statistic category. Saad was rewarded before the season even started with a new multi-year contract, has been rewarded yet again with his first ever All-star game to be played January 31st down in Nashville Tennessee. Boone Jenner is also having a career year as he is on pace to blow away his current highs in goals and points.

In other news, with the team not living up to expectations, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen traded former first round pick and number 1 center Ryan Johansen to the Nashville Predators for their former first round pick defenseman Seth Jones. Will that trade prompt more in the coming weeks leading up to the trade deadline or will Jarmo stay put if this team finds its way? My take is that we have not seen the last as possibly more big names could be moved to free up salary cap space or to secure future prospects and or draft picks.

Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been battling a nagging groin injury since December 8th was activated off of injured reserve on January 15th. Also back up goalie Curtis McElhinney was placed on injured reserve during Sergei's stint resulting in the Jackets calling up both goalies from their minor league team the Lake Erie Monsters. Both young goalies were thrown into the fire put did their part in holding the net.


Either way, no one saw this season unfolding the way that it has. As a fan, it is discouraging that the results aren't better and I know the players feel the same way. The Blue Jackets fans have been with this team from the start of their franchise, through all the ups and downs, wins and loses, and they will continue to be there for their team as many have said that they are the most loyal and die-hard fans in the league.

As always, I will continue to fight the good fight and will be with this team until the end of time as I'm sure many of you will. So join me in either watching on T.V. or going down to Columbus and catching a game at Nationwide Arena or going down to Cleveland at The Q Arena and watching the future studs in action.

As always Carry The Flag, We Are The 5th Line, All Of Us, March With Us.

TV Weekend 12.11-12.12

By @nevaRWilliams

Undateable Live (FRI NBC, 8pm)
Last Man Standing (FRI, ABC, 8pm)
The Amazing Race (FRI, CBS, 8pm)
MasterChef (FRI, FOX, 8pm)
Reign (FRI, The CW, 8pm)
New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXS TV, 8pm)
Truth Be Told (FRI, NBC, 8:30pm)
Dr. Ken (FRI, ABC, 8:30pm)

Grimm (FRI, NBC, 9pm)
Shark Tank (FRI, ABC, 9pm)
Hawaii Five-0 (FRI, CBS, 9pm)
World's Funniest (FRI, FOX, 9pm)
New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXS, TV, 9pm)

Blue Bloods (FRI, CBS, 10pm)
The Knick (FRI, Cinemax, 10pm)
Z Nation (FRI, SyFy, 10pm)
Satisfaction (FRI, USA, 10pm)

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Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (SAT, CBS, 8pm)
Da Vinci's Demons (SAT, STARZ, 8pm)

The Flight Before Christmas (SAT, CBS, 9pm)
Ash vs Evil Dead (SAT, STARZ, 9pm)

30 For 30: "Four Falls Of Buffalo": The Buffalo Bills Of The 90s (SAT, ESPN, 9:30pm)

Saturday Night Live: Chris Hemsworth, Chance The Rapper (SAT, NBC, 11:30pm)

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
NCAA FCS, Quarterfinal: Charleston Southern @ Jacksonville State (FRI, ESPN 2, 8pm)

NCAA FCS, Quarterfinal: Northern Iowa @ North Dakota State (SAT, ESPN, 12pm)

Army vs Navy (SAT, CBS, 3pm)

2015 Heisman Trophy Presentation (SAT, ESPN, 8pm)

NBA
Cavaliers @ Magic (FRI, FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
Heat @ Pacers (FRI, ESPN, 7pm)
Lakers @ Spurs (FRI, ESPN, 9:30pm)

Spurs @ Hawks (SAT, NBA TV, 8pm)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Ohio State @ Connecticut (SAT, CBS, 12pm)
Delaware State @ Michigan (SAT, ESPNU, 12pm)
Bryant @ Providence (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 12pm)
Marquette @ Wisconsin (SAT, ESPN 2, 1:30pm)

Tennessee @ Butler (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 2:30pm)
Arizona State @ Kentucky (SAT, ESPN, 3:15pm)
Utah @ Wichita State (SAT, ESPN 2, 3:30pm)

IUPUI @ Creighton (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 5pm)
North Carolina @ Texas (SAT, ESPN, 5:15pm)
Cincinnati @ Xavier (SAT, FOX, 5:30pm)
Florida @ Michigan State (SAT, ESPN 2, 6pm)

Oregon @ Boise State (SAT, CBS SportsNet, 7pm)
Oregon State @ Kansas (SAT, ESPN 2, 8pm)
UCLA @ Gonzaga (SAT, ESPN 2, 10pm)

NHL
AHL: Chicago Wolves @ Lake Erie Monsters (FRI, STO, 7pm)

Islanders @ Blue Jackets (SAT, FOX Sports Ohio, 7pm)
AHL: Chicago Wolves @ Lake Erie Monsters (SAT, STO, 7:30pm)
Capitals @ Lightning (SAT, NHL Network, 7pm)

GOLF
Franklin Templeton Shootout, Final Round (SAT, FOX, 1pm)
PNC Father/Son Challenge, First Day (SAT, NBC, 4pm)

MMA & BOXING
The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale: Edgar vs Mendes - Prelims (FRI, FOX Sports 1, 8pm)
The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale: Edgar vs Mendes (FRI, FOX Sports 1, 10pm)
TruTV Knockout Boxing (FRI, TruTV, 10pm)

UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor - Prelims (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 8pm)
Premier Boxing Champions (SAT, NBC, 8:30pm)

SOCCER
AFC Bournemouth vs. Manchester United FC (SAT, NBC, 12:30pm)

OTHER SPORTS
Dew Tour: Breckenridge Men's Snowboard Pipe (SAT, NBC, 2:30pm)

The Puck Drops Here 11.18.15: What's Happened With The Blue Jackets? #CBJ

By @CLulovics

Well let's face it. The start to the 2015-2016 NHL season for the Columbus Blue Jackets did not start how anyone including national annalists envisioned it. After starting the season 0-8, Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen to fire head coach Todd Richards and replace him with John Tortorella. Tortorella who previously coached for the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and most recently the Vancouver Canucks brings an overall head coaching record of 444-371 to go along with 8 playoff appearances and 1 Stanley Cup Championship.

Boone Jenner, Brandon Saad, Scott Hartnell and Brandon Dubinsky have been their usual selves providing the offense with the needed spark along with scoring points. Sergei Bobrovsky has not been his usual stellar self. Not all the blame can be put on Bobrovsky though. As national writers along with annalists said before the season even started, the Blue Jackets defense hasn't helped out their goalie. Some lapses along with miscues have spelled doom for both Bobrovsky and the blue line in the early stages of the young NHL season. But with Tortorella at the helm now it seems to be that those little yet huge mistakes seem to be disappearing and the Blue Jackets are playing a better overall game.

The Blue Jackets minor league affiliate the Lake Erie Monsters currently sit at 8-3-0-2 on their young season for 14 points and 3rd in the Central Division in the Western Conference as of this writing. Leading the Monsters in points is Kerby Rychel sitting at 4 goals 7 assists for 11 points while splitting time between the Monsters and the Blue Jackets. With a lot of young talent the Monsters will continue to be fun to watch downtown at Quicken Loans Arena and is a good event to take the family too.

While the Columbus Blue Jackets are currently 7-12, anything can happen in the NHL and they certainly are not out of it. But they have to pick up the pace soon otherwise their playoff hopes and dreams might fade quickly. This team has the talent to turn this whole thing around as long as they play their type of game which they didn't in the start of the season but seem to be coming back around too. Tortorella might just be the spark that this team needs especially with a lot of hockey left to be played.

As always CARRY THE FLAG, MARCH ON, WE ARE THE FIFTH LINE, ALL OF US and see you guys either at Nationwide Arena in Columbus or in downtown Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena.

Leadoff with Lee 10.8.15 #Indians #NFL #MattBarnes #DerekFisher #LakeErieMonsters

By @cleeverizon

As expected, the Cleveland Indians made promotions within the front office as outgoing Indians President Mark Shapiro leaves for the Toronto Blue Jays. Chris Antonetti is now the club’s President of Baseball Operations, while assistant General Manager Mike Chernoff has been named the Indians General Manager. Director of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey is now the Tribe’s Assistant GM.

Antonetti just completed his fifth season as the General Manager of the team. Under Antonetti's leadership, the team secured the long term contracts of players like Corey Kulber, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Kipnis, Michael Brantley and others. Chernoff has been with Cleveland for 12 seasons, with the last five years as assistant general manager. In his time, he's assisted Antonetti with player contracts.

As stated in the Indians press release, these moves will not impact the business operations as those responsibilities will still be in the hands of Indians owner and chairman, Paul Dolan.

- Browns running back Duke Johnson was nominated for the "Pepsi Rookie of the Week" after his 116 total yards and 1 TD performance last Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. Johnson also ranks second for rookie receptions with 15, trailing Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper, who has 24 receptions.

- Daily fantasy websites DraftKings and FanDuel are being investigated by the New York attorney general after DraftKings employees reportedly won nearly $6M playing daily fantasy at rival FanDuel while using internal data.

One DraftKings employee admitted that he inadvertently released data before week three of the NFL season. That same employee won $350K at rival site, FanDuel. The question was then raised if employees have internal information not available to the public that is used to gain a unfair advantage which has been labeled similar to insider trading. FanDuel and DraftKings have permanently banned it's employees from playing daily fantasy sports for money. ESPN is also cutting down on FanDuel and DraftKings advertising and sponsored segments. FanDuel has brought in former US Attorney General Michael Mukasey to review facts, evaluate internal controls, standards & practices.

The link to the letter that New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman can be read HERE.

- The NFL and owners have agreed to continue to schedule regular season international games through the 2025 season. With that announcement, other countries are being considered to host games next season in addition to the games in the United Kingdom. The NFL did not specifically identify Germany and Mexico, but they have been mentioned as leading contenders to host games. The league is playing three games this season at Wembley Stadium in London. In July 2015, the NFL agreed to a 10-year deal with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur to play games at the team's new stadium, which is slated to open in 2018. 

- NFL owners are expected to vote in January 2016 on a team or teams to relocate to Los Angeles. With three teams backing two different competing stadium plans in L.A., the San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams will all file for relocation. Eric Grubman, the league's main point man on Los Angeles, added that the NFL is not married to a vote in January, and that it could come later, particularly if one of the applicants is in the playoffs. The vote could come as late as April of 2016.

- Matt Barnes attacked his former Lakers teammate and current Knicks head coach Derek Fisher this past weekend for dating his ex-wife, Gloria Govan. When Barnes learned that Fisher was at Govan's Los Angeles home, he drove 95 miles from Santa Barbara to physically confront Fisher. A scuffle ensued between the two and the police were called to the scene, but Fisher left before they arrived but won't be pressing charges.

Barnes allegedly spit on Govan during the fracas and will seek a protection order against Barnes. Fisher missed Knicks practice on Monday. The team announced at the time it was for personal reasons, as the Knicks played in their exhibition opener Wednesday night against a Brazilian club team.

"My state of mind is that we have a game tonight and nothing that I've experienced has anything to do with how we perform tonight," Fisher said before the game. Adding that he was, "completely focused and committed to the team." The NBA has refused comment stating it is "premature" at this time.

- Broken Buckeyes: Urban Meyer said freshman LB Nick Conner is out for the season with a knee injury. He hurt himself at practice Tuesday. Meyer also noted DB Cam Burrows is out for the season with foot surgery. He could potentially take a medical redshirt.

- Have you seen the new Lake Erie Monsters jerseys with a color scheme of the Columbus Blue Jackets? Looks sweet, I'm going to add this to the collection 

The Puck Drops Here 4.24.15: Columbus #BlueJackets & Lake Erie Monsters #CBJ

By @CLulovics

The question of many hockey fans in the state of Ohio that has been asked for many years has finally been answered. The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Lake Erie Monsters have come to a multi year agreement in which the Lake Erie Monsters owned by Dan Gilbert and the Cavs will be the farm team (AHL) of the Columbus Blue Jackets. At a press conference in Cleveland representatives from the Cavs in Len Komoroski, CEO, Cavs and The Q and Kerry Bubolz, President of Business Operations for the Cavs as well as Blue Jackets John Davidson (President of hockey operations) and Chris MacFarland (assistant General Manager) answered questions and introduced themselves to fans of both teams. The deal has finally happened after years of fans wanting both teams to come together as it is only a 2 or 2 and a half hour drive depending on if you do the speed limit or not between both cities. As an organizational standpoint it makes perfect sense because at times during a morning skate or if a player becomes sick it is a lot easier now for a player to drive down to Columbus and get their quicker as opposed to trying to catch a flight at the last minute as was the way it was done in years past.

Fans of both organizations can now watch both teams and how well the prospects are doing in Cleveland. Before when the Monsters were the farm team of the Colorado Avalanche it was hard for fans to watch the players they became fans of play when they were called up to the NHL because the games were not carried in Ohio. Now fans can watch their favorite players in Cleveland play in the NHL when they are called up on Fox Sports Ohio.

Personally I can't wait until October when the puck drops as hockey in Cleveland and Columbus. When the Blue Jackets have an off day and the Monsters play at The Q everyone can benefit and watch the future of the Jackets play. Another benefit is that the Monsters have finished in the top 10 in attendance the past couple of years as this past year they finished 3rd overall in league attendance. Another great thing about this agreement is not a lot of players in the minor league will have the amenities that The Q has to offer and with an owner like Dan Gilbert who doesn't like to lose will help this team reach its full potential.

Hockey is growing in the state of Ohio and the greater Cleveland and Columbus area and this will help both cities continue to grow. The future just became brighter and fans of both cities and both organizations will benefit. As always Carry The Flag, Battle On, We Are The Fifth Line, and a new one #AllofUS