David J. Pollard

BASEBALL: BC High states its case for the Super 8, knocks off No. 1 SJ Prep

High School Baseball Insider Feature: BC High defeats No. 1 St. John's Prep. In doing so, they make their case to become a Super 8 team, despite their streaky play throughout the season.

SOFTBALL: Bellingham edges Hopkinton in a TVL battle for first place

Two of the most dominant pitchers in Mass. High School Softball faced off in a battle for the top spot in the Tri-Valley League. This game between two unbeaten teams could determine you owns the top seed going into tournament play.

GIRLS LACROSSE: Acton-Boxboro turns the table against Westford Academy

A-B Girls LAX had lost by one goal to Westford the last two times these teams met. This time, things would be different, but the game would still be decided by one goal.

Senior Leaders get Lynn English through

No. 1 Lynn English (25-0) took on No. 2 Central Catholic (21-2) in girls high school hoops, the Div. 1 North Finals at Tsongas Center in Lowell.

Girard Rallies Dedham past Norwood

Dedham and Norwood high school girls hockey. It was a solid back and forth game, but Dedham proved too strong for Norwood in the end.

Breaking Down the Beasts of the East

The Bruins have clinched the Prince of Whales Trophy as the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

Go Where Your Goalie Takes You

The Boston Bruins clinched a spot in the postseason when they defeated the Colorado Avalanche last Friday. Clinching the playoff spot early means the black and gold can focus on resting players, maintaining their position atop the Eastern Conference, and getting ready for the next postseason run.

Gettin' Iggy With It

The Bruins 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday was their ninth in a row. It's the longest winning streak of the year, but the black and gold have exhibited consistency from the start of the 2013-14 season. Rewind to the months following the loss in the Cup Finals, the Bruins began making acquisitions to improve their team...

CUP CONTENDERS AND PRETENDERS

The NHL has reached its final stretch run. With less than a quarter of the season remaining and the trade deadline in the rear view mirror, the contenders have strengthened their rosters and the pretenders may be exposed.

United States Built for Success

In examining the teams with a shot to win gold in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, one has to take a serious glance at the way the United States roster was constructed. After players were selected, many thought some of the best talent was left off the roster, the poster-boy for U.S.

Bruins Hit the Olympic Break

The Bruins have reached the Olympic break, and after 57 games, the black and gold are right where one might expect them to be; a 37-16-4 record good for 78 points and second place in the Eastern Conference.

Thornton Suspended for 15 Games

Shawn Thornton was suspended for 15 games on Friday by the NHL Department of Player Safety for his attack on Brooks Orpik during the Bruins match against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, December 7th. The 15 game suspension is the longest handed down to any player since Brendan Shanahan took over a chief disciplinarian.

Bruins and Penguins Bad Blood Brewing

The hockey game between the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins got a little ugly this past Saturday. What was touted as a match between two teams fighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference turned into a display of dirty plays, multiple injuries and, ultimately, suspensions.

The Torey Krug Effect

The Boston Bruins are right where fans and experts expected them to be as teams throughout the league have played through just over a quarter of the 2013-14 season. The B's sit at the top of the Eastern Conference with an 18-7-2 record through 27 games.

Suspensions Massing in the NHL

The first month of the 2013-2014 NHL regular season has seen more suspensions handed down from Brendan Shanahan and the Department of Player Safety than either of Shanahan's first two seasons as the league's chief disciplinarian.

Loui Eriksson Leaves the Ice after John Scott Hit

Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson left the game with a head injury after receiving a shot to the head from Buffalo Sabres left wing John Scott during Wednesday night's game in Buffalo. Scott will have an in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for the hit on Thursday.

Why the Bruins Power Play Will Improve this Season

It's no secret that the Bruins have many strengths which make them one of the best teams in the National Hockey League. There has, however, been one very apparent weakness for this Bruins team since they became a factor in the NHL again in 2008, accompanied with the departure of Marc Savard in 2009: their power play has stunk.

The New National Hockey League

A breakdown of the new rules and team alignments that will impact the NHL in the 2013-2014 season.

Four More Years for Chiarelli

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli earns 4-year contract extension; an overview of his accomplishments as Bruins GM.

South Boston Takes 2 of 3 Home Games on Sunday

The Southie Shamrocks took to the ice at Murphy Rink on Sunday, as the U-14, U-16, and U-18 teams faced off twice against the Walpole Express, and once against the Springfield Rifles - two Massachusetts Premier Development Hockey League opponents. It was a good day for South Boston teams, as they won two of the three match-ups.

Wilmington and N. Andover Advance

Double header playoff action

Malden Catholic v St. John's Prep

Recap of MC v St. John's Prep

Malden Catholic v BC High

Recap of MC v BC High

Breaking Down the AL East

The Red Sox will be defending their World Series Championship this season, a World Series which came as a surprise to many, as 2013 appeared to be a bridge year for a team that struggled mightily the season prior. Going into the 2014 season, the feeling is similar, that this could be a bridge year for the Sox.

Expanded Video Review in Baseball in Final Stage

October is over, and another long season of baseball has just concluded. The offseason is up next and it's time to start thinking about the 2014 MLB season. There's going to be some vital changes to how the game is played next year, as the MLB will be expanding video review process starting in the 2014 season.

Lackey strong in pitching battle; Sox take 2-1 series advantage in ALCS

Recap of the Red Sox 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers in game 3 of the 2013 ALCS. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013

A Sunday for the Books

A recap of Oct. 13 and the two come-from-behind victories by both the Patriots and the Red Sox.

MLB Postseason Has a Different Look

It's October and the MLB Postseason is heating up. This season there were no shortages of surprise postseason appearances in both the American and National League. The Oakland Athletics, The Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Boston Red Sox are three teams that nobody expected to be playing this time of the year.

Not So Super Bowl for Denver

For two weeks prior to Sunday's Super Bowl match between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks, the hype was focused on the best offense facing off against the best defense in the NFL. What was set to be a tight match pinning strength against strength turned ugly in a hurry for the Broncos.

Patriots Moving Forward

The Patriot's agonizing loss to the Denver Bronco's in Sunday's AFC Championship game is still fresh in the minds of New Englanders; a game in which the Pat's defense surrendered 507 yards, and Tom Brady spent most of his day on the New England bench.

Pats Score First Round Bye in Postseason

The 2013 New England Patriots overcame a multitude of obstacles and have now secured a first round bye in the NFL postseason. This Patriots unit seemed doomed from the get-go losing vital pieces of their roster for one reason or another, but still managed to end their season with a 12-4 record, and the number 2 seed in the AFC.

Patriots Fall to Panthers in Quarterback Duel

The Patriots took on the Carolina Panthers in a Monday Night Football showdown between veteran quarterback Tom Brady and third year quarterback Cam Newton. Despite having experience on their side it was the versatility of Newton that would carry the Panthers to a 24-20 victory.

Pat's Overcome 24-point Deficit, Inch Closer to Postseason

It was a tale of two halves on Sunday night in frigid Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots took on the high flying Denver Broncos and the best offense in the NFL. This was the game that many had circled on their NFL schedules prior to the start of the season, and for the two teams, their seasons have been quite different from one another.

Patriots lose to Bengals, 13-6

The Patriots lose in frustrating fashion to the Bengals this Sunday, but should Pats fans be upset?

Pats Defense Carrying a Young Offense

The New England Patriots are 3-0 for the first time since 2007, coming off a 23-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 3-0 record is one of the few similarities that this 2013 Patriots team has to the '07 squad.

South Boston Pop Warner Meets Braintree

South Pop Warner (ages 8-13) play at Braintree

South Boston Chamber of Commerce 14th Annual South Boston Street Festival Enormous Success

The South Boston Street Festival is a whole lot of fun every single year, this year was no exception!

South Boston Youth Soccer's "Parade of Champions"

Southie's finest come together and march around Moakley Field in the annual "Parade of Champions" celebrating the beginning of the Southie Youth Soccer season.

SB Leadership Initiative Fundraiser

Local organization supplying support for Southie youth has first ever fundraiser.

South Boston Leadership Initiative's First Fundraiser

The South Boston Leadership Initiative is a group that aims to guide young citizens of Southie to brighter futures through academic, professional networking, and fitness programs.

Collins Calls for Round-up of All Violent Offenders

Follow-up to the public safety meeting, State Rep. Nick Collins calls for prompt response from authorities.

Jam Packed Auditorium for Public Safety Meeting

South Boston held a public safety meeting after local violent attacks on women.

"The Sports Blast" Audio ON DEMAND

The Bruins Win the Stanley Cup

Seaport District Booming

"The Sports Blast" The Blast Off Segment Intro

Southie Shamrocks Hockey Highlights 10/20/13

"The Sports Blast" 5 Questions Segment Intro

Best Years of Our Lives

"The Sports Blast" That's B.S. Segment Intro

Critic's Corner: Driving in Boston

"The Sports Blast" Snoop Rejoiner

Bruins 2013 Cup Run (through Conference Finals)

"The Sports Blast" Main Intro ESPN NH

"The Sports Blast" You're Gonna Love It!