Wow, 3 Game 7’s are taking place in Round 2 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals. Here’s the complete schedules and ticket information.

Wednesday, May 13

Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals on HTS and Versus at 7 PM EST.  Tickets start at $145.

Thursday, May 14

Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings on Versus at 7 PM EST. Tickets start at $62.

Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins on NESN at 8 PM EST.  Tickets start at $125.

Good hump day, fine Stumblers. It’s the middle of a long work week, so lets get right into today’s linkage:

Long time MLB pitcher caught up in financial scam, having a tough time paying bills.

Washington D.C. high school hoops player can jump out of the gym, but can’t attract attention from college recruiters. Here’s guessing this article will remedy that situation.

I’m glad I’m not the only one baffled as to why the Celtics would risk altering their team chemistry by bringing in Steph Marbury. Doesn’t seem worth it at all. KG will have some sway over him, and getting out of the dysfunctional mess known as the NY Knicks would be good for anyone’s psyche, but it still seems like a bad idea to me.

More dire economic news! I don’t buy for one second the NFL couldn’t come up with the cash to keep its staffers employed.

Tiger’s back! Tiger’s back! The PGA is relevant once again! Wake me up for The Masters.

Providence knocking off #1 Pitt is proof positive that anything can happen this year in college hoops. I think we are headed for an all time head scratcher of a Final Four. When we end up with a Marquette-Arizona State national title game, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Scary video for any Caps fan-Ovie and Mike Green tooling around on a cart, and almost getting decapitated by a closing door. Yikes.

A high school player in Indiana goes on a game-winning scoring binge that he’ll be able to live off for the rest of his life. In the Hoosier state, high school hoops glory is in many ways more valuable than a college education.

Kevin Durant

The Cavs Should Be A Hot Ticket

This weekend brings us a break in the action from the NFL and we get to see the NHL All-Star game in Montreal.  I hope everyone is over their Holiday Hangover and ready for the post-Super Bowl lull before March Madness.  2009 has been interesting so far, we have a new President and maybe a new outlook on life.  We still however are in the same economic downturn and might not be seeing as many games as we normally would want to see.  I would like to point out that if you are gainfully employed and still living comfortably, now is not the time to sit at home and watch.

Pens Need to Get Some Wins

There are a few good things that have happened due to the recession.  First, gas prices are back to being relatively manageable.  Second, with less people traveling the roads aren’t as packed.  And third, there are plenty of hotel deals out there to be had.  So if you are up to any traveling over the winter be it for skiing/snowboarding, visiting friends/family, or just want to visit someplace new, I suggest you try to catch a hockey, basketball, or spring training game.  This is the hangover time when prices are usually down from football season and the hyped holiday events are over.  So here are a few rivalries, within driving distance, you might want to check out during the Break In The Action.

NHL Action (All Games Listed are played Friday through Sunday for weekend travel)

Steve Mason is Becoming a Stud

1. Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals (2/22) and (3/8) Both Sunday match ups will be on National TV and will have a good mix of home and away fans.  Not to mention the Ovechkin/Semin vs. Crosby/Malkin match up.
2. New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers (3/1) Both teams are battling for the Division Lead.  Plus, the Devils can score now, so it will be an interesting Sunday game.
3. Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers (2/15) Another great inner division match up and two cities that don’t like each other.  Another Sunday TV game for the rest of us.
4. San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (3/15)  Should be a good Sunday battle between two of the Best in the West.
5. Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers (2/21) A fun Saturday night for all the Canadians in Alberta, check out the NHL network for the rest of us.
   

   Get a Room You Two

6. Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins (2/6) & vs Detroit Red Wings (2/13) So I had to get the Blue Jackets in here twice.  They have a great rookie Goaltender who is worth seeing.  Both games are on Friday nights.
7. Phoenix Coyotes at LA Kings (2/21)  The Coyotes are playing for their franchise life and a drive through the desert for a Saturday night game won’t be too bad.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens (2/7) Another Hockey Night in Canada tilt, and no love lost here.
9. Carolina Hurricanes at Atlanta Thrashers (2/28) For those in the Southeastern Division who want to check out Atlanta for a Saturday Night Game.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senetors – (2/28)  And finally the battle for Ontario between the Leafs and Sens.
    

    Sweet Goal

NBA Action

1. Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers (2/22)  Easy drive for an important Sunday match up, just hope there isn’t any Lake Affect Snow.
   

   Paul Pierce

2. Boston Celtics at New York Knicks (2/6) This one is for all those Obnoxious Celtics fans who might want to head to NYC on a Friday night to rub it in.
3. LA Lakers at Phoenix Suns (3/1)  Should be a great Sunday day game and entertaining as usual.
4. New Jersey Nets at Philadelphia 76ers (1/31)  Ok, so if you are a Nets fan you might be proud to drive down the Jersey Turnpike and visit a much nicer city (appearance, not fans).
5. Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets (2/20)  There shouldn’t be any thunderstorms in Houston this time of year so traveling down from Dallas should be fine.
6. Miami Heat at Orlando Magic (2/22)  I know it is tough to get Heat fans and people in Miami to leave the beach to head to Orlando.  But, this match up should be fun to watch.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks (2/27)  This is a good reason for Thunder fans to go watch their team “develop” outside their own arena.
8. Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers (2/22)  Another easy drive weather permitting.  Maybe not as fun as when Jordan and Miller played but still a good time.
   

   Dwight Howard

9. Milwakee Bucks at Chicago Bulls (3/6)  Here’s an excuse to travel to the Second City and enjoy slightly different fattening foods.
10. Washington Wizards at New Jersey Nets (2/20)  Here is a stop over game for any Wizards fans who want to catch a game before heading into the city.

Editor’s Note: The following was written by Dustin at The Game Owl. The Game Owl focuses on game and league previews, marquee match ups, fantasy sports and the best games to attend. Dustin is a former college athlete, adamant sports fan and contributor to the TicketStumbler Blog.  Check out his website at www.thegameowl.com

Cardinals fans need to remember how forlorn their franchise has been until this season. Enjoy the bandwagon ride, but know that you have not earned the right to do crap like this yet. (The Big Lead)

It’s always fun to read more about the absolute train wreck known as the 2008 Dallas Cowboys. (Dallas News)

A look at some key NBA rookies and how them hitting “the Wall” might impact the Association down the stretch. (ESPN.com)

Worth some clicking through: Top 99 Women in the world. (askmen.com)