Leblanc Leaving? Looking Likely

If you follow our Twitter account and have a working knowledge of the French language, then you know that for days, the buzz in Montreal has been all about what will happen this summer with Montreal Canadiens prospect and Harvard forward Louis Leblanc. Rumors began swirling around in Quebec that Leblanc was soon to depart for a pro contract in the AHL or would head north of the border to play in Major Juniors. None of the signs were looking good for the Crimson, but Leblanc had continued to state that while he was looking at other options, he was expecting to be in Cambridge in the fall. But, a major trade today in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, featuring the rights for the Crimson's leading scorer last year, means the Magic 8 ball has switched from "Ask Again Later" to "Outlook Not So Good" when asked if the talented center will be in a Crimson uniform next year. Below, we'll take you through the week of news and analyze today's trade, and give a look at what losing Leblanc means for the Cantabs.

Programming Notes: May 4th, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

As classes end and finals begin at Harvard, it is the tradition of Harvard Radio to present their Orgy season, blocks of programming devoted to one theme. WHRB Sports contributes to this with our own Crimson Sports Orgy, presented every year during the winter and spring. In the winter, we featured a Harvard basketball doubleheader. In the spring, however, without a sport to frame the program around, we instead will provide four hours of original content from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Some of the features of our Crimson Sports Orgy (all times approximate):
- Harvard Headlines (11:00 a.m.)
Just like on Crimson Sportstalk, we will take a look around all of Harvard's varsity sports to see how they did this past week.
- An Interview with Harvard Athletics Director Bob Scalise (11:10 a.m.)
Get a chance to hear a State of the Crimson interview, as Harvard Athletics Director Bob Scalise chatted with WHRB about various topics in the world of Harvard athletics.
- Season Wrap-ups (11:30 a.m.)
As the spring season comes to an end, we will take a look at the seasons for the men's and women's lacrosse teams, the baseball team, and the softball team.
- 2010 Awards Show (12:00 p.m.)
A new and exciting feature to the WHRB Sports Orgy, we will present 15 Awards ranging across various categories of Harvard sports. Categories include Male and Female Players of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Team of the Year.
- Season Previews (12:45 p.m.)
The department eagerly awaits, along with all other Harvard sports fans, the beginning of the 2010 fall and the 2010-11 winter seasons. We'll have a look at football, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's hockey, and men's and women's basketball.
- Harvard Alumni in the NFL (1:50 p.m.)
This segment features several beat writers for professional football teams with recent Harvard alumni on them, as we look to see how past Crimson players fare in the pros.
- Kicking a Touchdown (2:00 p.m.)
Kicking a Touchdown, our football halftime show which debuted this year, will have its last episode of the season. The show will be a nice send-off for Senior Patrick Long, Kicker for the Harvard football team, and serve as a transition as we introduce next year's host.
- Sports Talk Radio (2:20 p.m.)
Our two graduating department members, football play by play man Alasdair Wilkins, and men's hockey play by play man Tom Brennan will jump into the booth and discuss some of the lighter topics surrounding Harvard sports. Topics could range from black jerseys for various teams, what team would be a good fit for ECAC Hockey, or looking at if the Ivy League should join in the talks of expanding conferences.

Then starting at 3 p.m., our Crimson Sports Orgy will transition over to the critically-acclaimed men's hockey intermission feature, Top Shelf, as we become the only show bold enough to bring the players off the ice and into drive time. Featuring this year's co-hosts, Senior Alex Biega, Junior Kyle Richter, and WHRB's Tom Brennan, Top Shelf is now in it's 7th season. Tune in to hear about Alex's recent vacation to Mexico, meet Al and Kyle's roommate, and find out about the future both of Top Shelf and our soon-to-be-graduating hosts, Alex and Tom. Don't forget to stay tuned in to the end for an emotional "Stick Salutes" as Alex and Tom give their final farewells as Top Shelf regulars.

Women's Lacrosse: Inaugural Ivy Tournament Field Set

2010 will mark the first time that the Ivy League will host a tournament to determine its automatic bid to the NCAA Championships for women's lacrosse. After today's last slate of games, that field is now set.

# 1 Pennsylvania (7-0 Ivy) will host the tournament, where they will face local rivals #4 Princeton (4-3 Ivy) in the opening round.

# 2 Dartmouth (5-2 Ivy) will face # 3 Cornell (4-3 Ivy).

The winners will advance to play for the NCAA automatic bid.

The first round is Friday, April 30th. Dartmouth and Cornell will square off at 4 p.m. and Pennsylvania and Princeton will do likewise at 7 p.m.

The Championship Game will be played Sunday, May 2nd at 12:30 p.m.

Men's Lacrosse: Harvard's Ivy League Playoff Chances

As detailed today on Sportstalk, Harvard's first win over Princeton since 1990 kept the Crimson alive in the Ivy League playoff race. Looking over this article on Inside Lacrosse, provided by Princeton Athletics, we've compiled the list of what needs to happen for Harvard to get in to the playoffs. The article says Harvard needs a win and some help...although all of the scenarios they go on to list with a Harvard win have the Crimson in the top four. So as far as we can tell, win and the Crimson are in. Lose at Yale, and the season is over.

We look at what the playoffs will look like after the jump.