Spring Break
Miami needs strong finish in 2008-09
Dan Kukla
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: Sports
Even more agonizing, however, was watching the demise of a hockey team that not only could have, but should have, reached the postseason promised land. Ranked No. 1 in the nation for 10 weeks throughout the season and awarded a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, Miami stood in line for its first Frozen Four appearance in school history. It was fate. It had to be. Up by two against Boston College, the team that eliminated them from the past two tournaments, the 'Brotherhood' appeared to be writing a dream ending to their fairytale story.
Unfortunately, that's all it was: a dream. When Miami somehow lost that game, the excuses went flying. Yes, the No. 1 seeded RedHawks essentially played a road game against the Eagles. Yes, a soft non-conference schedule may not have fully prepared them for such a demanding test. Regardless of the circumstances, all anyone can really say, however, is that Miami choked. End result: no trip to Denver for the Frozen Four and a chance to play for the national championship.
We as fans are now posed with an important question: do we celebrate the success of each team rising as far as they did or do we condemn their failure to finish? The answer is both. It would be foolish to overlook and discount these teams' notable achievements. Nevertheless, I can't help but feel like a groom that has been stood up at the alter; getting here was truly wonderful but that only makes the resulting disappointment exponentially greater.
For the same reason, the American women gymnasts will tell you that losing the gold medal in the team final overshadowed the significance of winning silver. Both literally and figuratively, the experience can be a likened to a dazzling routine followed by a stumbled landing. Later that week, however, Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson triumphantly won gold and silver in the individual all-around competition and on the balance beam, displaying their real talent for the entire world to see.
Miami's hockey, football and men's basketball teams all need to follow suit. They need to pick themselves off the mat of last year's defeat and this time make sure to stick that perfect landing.
Unfortunately, that's all it was: a dream. When Miami somehow lost that game, the excuses went flying. Yes, the No. 1 seeded RedHawks essentially played a road game against the Eagles. Yes, a soft non-conference schedule may not have fully prepared them for such a demanding test. Regardless of the circumstances, all anyone can really say, however, is that Miami choked. End result: no trip to Denver for the Frozen Four and a chance to play for the national championship.
We as fans are now posed with an important question: do we celebrate the success of each team rising as far as they did or do we condemn their failure to finish? The answer is both. It would be foolish to overlook and discount these teams' notable achievements. Nevertheless, I can't help but feel like a groom that has been stood up at the alter; getting here was truly wonderful but that only makes the resulting disappointment exponentially greater.
For the same reason, the American women gymnasts will tell you that losing the gold medal in the team final overshadowed the significance of winning silver. Both literally and figuratively, the experience can be a likened to a dazzling routine followed by a stumbled landing. Later that week, however, Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson triumphantly won gold and silver in the individual all-around competition and on the balance beam, displaying their real talent for the entire world to see.
Miami's hockey, football and men's basketball teams all need to follow suit. They need to pick themselves off the mat of last year's defeat and this time make sure to stick that perfect landing.
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