FanHouse HerbBrooks

FanHouse brings you full coverage of the 2009 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON -- Chances are, you've never heard of Kevin Roeder, a defenseman for Miami University. But whether or not you've heard his name before tonight, I'm pretty much certain he's the most miserable hockey player in the world right now.

After all, what can you possibly say to a player who did exactly what he was supposed to do, yet who at this moment probably thinks that his actions cost his team a national title?

We've seen it all the time in sports. They call it the bad bounce. And tonight, Roeder, a senior defenseman from Glenview, Ill., was victimized by the baddest of all hockey bounces.

Over the weekend, it was nice to see that Adam Gretz made note of the 29th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice. As someone who recalls the events of February 1980 very vividly, I never need an excuse to revisit those heady days.

Twenty-nine years ago Sunday, a group of American college kids, led by head coach Herb Brooks, went up against the heavily favored Soviet Union and shocked the world with a 4-3 win, giving announcer Al Michaels a career moment and creating a piece of history that not only altered sports but America at large.

On Friday night Eric Gagne did something it seems like he hasn't done in forever. Really, it's only been since June 6th of last season, but Gagne recorded his first save as a member of the Texas Rangers.

"I was trying to stop shaking. I was nervous out there," Gagne said. "It's been two frustrating years. Now, I'm back on track."

The Mariners did all they could to rattle Gagne. As he made the journey from the bullpen to the mound they played the scene from Miracle where Kurt Russell (Herb Brooks) makes the stirring motivational speech to the US hockey team on the scoreboard. There were a couple of flaws in this idea.

One being that this is baseball. Not hockey. I thought the differences were pretty apparent, but I guess not. Second, the Mariners aren't dirty Communists. Well, maybe Yuniesky Betancourt used to be one, but it probably wasn't by choice.

Finally, it's a motivational speech. What made the Mariners think it wouldn't serve to motivate Gagne? Gagne said afterwards that he was just playing "Welcome to the Jungle" in his mind, and he used it to bring the Mariners hitters to their sha-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-knees! Knees!! He then made the devil horns sign with his right hand and bellowed "Salute the Dark Lord!"

Ok, he didn't do the whole hand thing, but it would have been a lot cooler if he did. You have to admit.


Previously at the Fanhouse:
Eric Gagne Slaps Dodgers Fans In The Face
Eric Gagne To Start Season On The DL
Eric Gagne Makes His Rangers Debut
Eric Gagne Is Back
Yuniesky Betancourt Has Come A Long Way