Michael Hurley grew up in Arlington, Mass., before graduating from Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., with a degree in journalism. Prior to joining NESN, he worked in the sports department of WPRI-TV/WNAC-TV in Providence and also worked as a freelance sports writer.
Playing back-to-back nights could be a blessing and not a burden for the Bruins on Friday night, when they travel to Buffalo to take on the first-place Sabres.
When the Atlanta Thrashers scored with 41.4 seconds left in the third period to tie the game, it looked like the Bruins were in for another disappointing night. That wasn't the case, however, as Tuukka Rask refused to allow another puck across the goal line and the Bruins went on to win 4-3 in a shootout.
If last week wasn't the football equivalent of Armageddon, then I don't know what is.
The Patriots defensive line got a boost on Thursday as injured defensive end Ty Warren returned to the practice field. Warren missed Sunday's game against Indianapolis with an ankle injury and did not participate in Wednesday's practice, but he was on the field with limited participation on Thursday.
Tuesday's news that first-year Jets coach Rex Ryan cried in front of his team seemed to invoke support from his players, who said seeing how much their coach cared made them care that much more.
So on Wednesday, when the media had access to Bill Belichick, it took one bold reporter to ask the coach if he had ever shed tears in front of his team.
The Patriots had an idea that Sebastian Vollmer would be good when they drafted him in the second round, but it's unlikely they thought he would prove himself as a starting left tackle by the season's halfway point. That's what happened, however, thanks to a knee injury that's kept Matt Light out of the job.
After Monday night's game, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was upset with Brady Quinn for the Browns' quarterback low hit on Terrell Suggs. Lewis suggested Quinn be fined for his "cheap shot," and now Suggs' agent is just as angry as Lewis.
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