Connecticut Sports Online

LITTLE LEAGUE

Home of the 2005 state Little League baseball and softball tournaments.

Photos of the '05 state championship teams

PRO BASKETBALL

'05 All-Star game in CT

'05 Sun playoff run

Swagger for Sales, CT

NECBL: Twisters

Your home to follow the Torrington Twisters of the New England Collegiate Baseball League

H.S. FOOTBALL

Avon Football Online

Coverage of the Nutmeg Football League and Avon High.

St. Paul Football Online

FIELD HOCKEY

Your online home for the 2005 state field hockey coaches poll.

ROAD RACING

Connecticut road races

TRIATHLON

Greater Hartford Triathlon

HISTORICAL

GIRLS LACROSSE

Your home for the Connecticut Girls Lacrosse Coaches Association state tournament

PRO SOCCER

Conn. Wolves 2002

Conn. Wolves 2001

PRO HOCKEY

Whalercanes in the 2002 Stanley Cup finals

PRO LACROSSE

Bridgeport Barrage

After leaving state in April 2004, Barrage win 1st MLL title for Philadelphia in August 2004.

BOSTON, Aug. 22, 2004 -- Ryan Boyle, B.J. Prager and Matt Striebel each scored goals to help the Philadelphia Barrage to a 13-11 win over the Boston Cannons for the Major League Lacrosse championship. The title was the culmination of a huge turaround for the Barrage, who went 1-11 a year ago in Bridgeport and began this season 2-5 before winning their final seven games. Greg Cattrano was named the MVP of the championship game after a 19-save performance. Boyle was named the MLL Rookie of the Year after finishing second in the league in assists despite missing the first third of the season while helping Princeton to the Final Four last spring. Boyle, who was slowed by a hip pointer in the championship game, had 28 assists during the regular season.

Two long-time Connecticut columnists remembered former Whaler Ron Francis who quiety retired in October 2005.

Randy Smith, Manchester Journal Inquirer: “Ronnie Francis turned out to be a beauty. He was The Boy Scout Who Could Play. He didn't smoke or drink and rarely used profanity.”

Jeff Jacobs, Hartford Courant: “Francis began his career at 18 as the Whalers' consolation prize. He ended it at 42 as the most underrated player in hockey history. Francis was the total player. He was a great faceoff man. He threw pillow soft passes with his forehand or backhand. He had a mediocre shot and still scored 500 goals. He was a premier defensive forward, a Selke Trophy winner. He could withstand punishment

and maintain his balance without being punished himself.”