Great Game Previews In History: 10 March 2014

by J.R.

Today In History

On March 10, 241 BC, Michal Handzus celebrated his ninth birthday.

No wait, that’s not right.

On March 10, 241 BC, the Romans sank the Carthaginian fleet in the Battle of the Aegates Islands, effectively ending the first Punic War.

As the morning arrived, the wind favored the Carthaginians and Hanno the Great (the second of that name) set sail. Despite the conditions, Catulus decided to intercept the Carthaginians and ordered his fleet to prepare for battle, stripping them of masts and sails. That’s a bold decision, but an easy one to make because he wasn’t actually going to lead the battle, being as how he was hurt. What boldness!

It worked out, because the Romans ended up mobile, the Carthaginians burdened.

About half of the Carthaginian fleet was either destroyed or captured. The rest were saved only by an abrupt change in the direction of the wind, allowing them to flee from the Romans.

DemocraThree: 7 March 2014

by J.R.

Every Friday (except this week obviously) [Ed note: I’m an idiot] bloggers from around The Heptarchy will update us on the news and notes from their teams (with that fancy header image courtesy of Mike D; like democracy itself, it’s a perpetual work-in-progress). Yes, we ripped this off from TRH’s Pacific War Room; no, we don’t care. And since we ripped it off, we’ll follow their lead and go in standings order.

DemocraThree Special Trade Deadline Edition

by J.R.

With the trade deadline looming, we’ve asked our usual cadre of bloggers from around The Heptarchy to give us some idea of what the hay is going on with each team. Yes, we ripped this off from TRH’s Pacific War Room; no, we don’t care. For our special trade deadline edition, we’ll go in alphabetical order:

DemocraThree: 17 January 2014

by J.R.

Today, we debut a new weekly feature here at III Communication — DemocraThree. Every Friday, bloggers from around The Heptarchy will update us on the news and notes from their teams (with that fancy header image courtesy of Mike D and like democracy itself, it’s a perpetual work-in-progress). Yes, we ripped this off from TRH’s Pacific War Room; no, we don’t care. And since we ripped it off, we’ll follow their lead and go in standings order.

SuomIII and SlovakIIIa

by J.R.

Three more Olympic teams announced this morning before the Canadians anger everyone later. No Conference III-ers on Lativa, because Dinamo Riga isn’t in Conference III, but there’s a few on Finland and Slovakia.

Great Game Previews In History: 2 January 2014

by J.R.

Today In History

At the French Academy of Sciences on January 2, 1860, the discovery of a planet — Vulcan — was announced.

It was claimed to exist between the orbit of Mercury and the Sun, with numerous mid-19th century astronomers claimed to have seen a black disc transit the sun. Urbain La Verrier became convinced of Vulcan’s existence after hearing the testimony of a country doctor and amateur astronomer Edmond Modeste Lescarbault, who timed this planet’s transit using a pendulum and a pocket watch.

Scientists were convinced of Vulcan’s existence due to anomalies in Mercury’s motion. Later, said anomalies would be explained using Einstein’s general theory of relativity.

Today, few, if any, credible astronomers are convinced of the veracity of Vulcan and it has passed into the realm of the handful of proposed or hypothetical planets.

Happy Hour In The Heptarchy: Cayenne Pumpkin Pie and a Mason Jar of Milk

by J.R.

It’s five past 5 across Conference III (leave work early, Colorado — you have our permission), time to hit bricks and get that freakin’ weekend started, am I right?

Of course I am.

It’s been a tough week for some of you so loosen your belt, pop a top, grab a spoon and stop being such a sourpuss. III Communication’s got good news for everybody.

33 Predictions For 2013 & Programming Notes

by J.R.

I made these standings predictions over at Second City Hockey, but we’ll repeat them here for posterity ahead of the beginning of Conference III:

OK, But Why Is Michal Handzus Wearing Crawford’s Number?

by J.R.

From The AP: