Sporting thoughts for 2007

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We had our share of highlights and lowlights in the sports world in 2006.

But, as we say in sports jargon, 2006 is “in the books” so we now look ahead to 2007.

Here are some thoughts on 2007:

. Wouldn’t it be fitting if Maine hockey coach Tim Whitehead won an NCAA championship this season?

That’s the only thing left for him to accomplish.

It is difficult to follow a legend. Just ask the football coaches who followed Paul “Bear” Bryant at Alabama.

Shawn Walsh put the Maine hockey program on the national map before his death in 2001. He was an innovative genius who was driven to succeed.

Some of the Alfond Arena faithful still haven’t fully accepted Whitehead because he isn’t the charismatic, fiery, in-your-face type of coach Walsh was.

And he hasn’t won a national championship.

Walsh won two.

But Whitehead has won 69 percent of his games (143-57-26) and has come a whisker away from hoisting two NCAA championship trophies.

His style and personality are almost the polar opposite of Walsh’s.

But he cares just as much about winning and keeping the program among the nation’s elite.

He knows what the program means to the school, the community and the state.

He is a student of the game who knows there is always room for improvement.

. Spring training isn’t far off and that means the Red Sox will unveil pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, their $103 million investment.

Not only will the eyes of Red Sox fans across the country be on him, his career will be closely monitored by his countrymen.

My son Michael, who teaches the English language to school children in Tajima, Japan, has already benefited from Matsuzaka’s signing.

His Japanese counterparts know Maine is close to Boston and I’m sure they will be quizzing him about Matsuzaka’s progress.

So, maybe he will be teaching his children English words and terms like “fastball” and “earned run average” instead of “automobile” and “lobster.”

To his credit, Matsuzaka seems to have the right attitude about pitching in Boston.

He knows how passionate Red Sox fans are and seems to be embracing it.

Hopefully, he’ll have a terrific year.

. It was sad to see the indoor soccer facility affectionately known as “The Bubble” in Hampden be taken down.

I realize there were financial problems from day one but it served such a valuable purpose.

It enabled people to hone their skills in various sports or just have a nice evening out when the winter weather prevented outdoor activity.

Financier and facility manager Pete Madigan’s heart was in the right place.

He deserved a better fate.

The Mahaney Dome in Orono is certainly a viable option but it would be nice to have another facility in the Bangor area some day soon.

. Did you get a chance to watch that Boise State-Oklahoma thriller in the Fiesta Bowl late Monday night?

It had everything.

Scintillating comebacks by both teams; clutch performances and three gag plays by Boise State that worked to perfection and provided the Broncos with a 43-42 overtime win.

It also reinforced the need for a playoff system in Division I-A.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.