The 25 Best Games Of 2010: Reflecting on the Year In Sports

Christmas has passed and people from all over the world are beginning to turn their attention to the New Year. A New Year means a fresh start to those who haven't had the greatest of years or a chance to keep the good mojo rolling for those who have.

While everyone else focuses on their New Year's resolutions and everything they have to look forward to in 2011, I decided to take a step back and reflect on the year that was in sports.

2010 has been a year that has been dominated by story lines, as evidenced by the 24 hour daily coverage of Brett Favre this season or the Tiger Woods saga that sold more tabloids this year than even the best of Hollywood scandals. These story lines often fuel and domineer the daily sports talks at water heaters and on message boards across the nation, but in the end, it's the games we turn to for entertainment.

We've been lucky enough to see some great individual and team performances over the past 12 months and occasionally we have been lucky enough to see it all bundled up into a single game. 

One game. It's the purest form of sport because within the boundaries of that single game the only thing that defines the people involved is winning and losing. Eventually it becomes part of a bigger picture that includes politicking, rankings/seedings, and obviously money, but for about three hours (depending on the sport) all anyone really wants is to win that battle.

These were the 25 best games of 2010.

Honorable Mention: The Contests That Just Missed the Bar

Games/Matches that just fell short of making the list.

Isner vs. Mahut (2010 Wimbledon Men's Singles Match): 

It takes a hell of a match for anyone to actually care about a tennis match that isn't a grand slam final, but these guys certainly deserve the recognition. They played tennis for 11 hours and five minutes spread out over three days. Isner, the 6'9" American, eventually held off the 28-year-old Frenchman, taking the tiebreaker 70-68.

Halladay, Braden, and Galarraga (The Pursuit of Perfection):

Baseball games in May and June rarely have much significance, but in 2010, it was a breeding ground for historic performances. On May 9th Oakland A's pitcher, Dallas Braden, tossed the 19th perfect game in MLB history. Three weeks later Phillies ace Roy Halladay threw the 20th. A measly four days later, Armando Galarraga took the mound and threw 8 2/3 innings of perfect baseball before being robbed on the game's final out when umpire Jim Joyce called Indian utility man Jason Donald safe at first.

Galarraga was denied his place in official history, but he entrenched himself into the minds of the American public for both his performance and the way he handled himself afterwards. Joyce also deserves props for acknowledging his mistake.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans (The Hail Mary):

This game didn't exactly light up the Nielsen ratings in week 10, but the game did wind up being very entertaining. On the final play of the game, with the score tied at 24, Jaguars QB David Garrard chucked up a prayer. The Texans secondary had the play defended perfectly but when Quinn Glover batted the ball down, he batted it directly to Jaguars WR Mike Thomas.

The Entire NHL Eastern Conference Semifinal Round:

I cheated on the perfect game bit, and I am going to cheat one more time here. The NHL had a lot of interest generated off the back of the USA vs. Canada gold medal hockey game this winter in Vancouver, and when the playoffs rolled around, they hoped to capitalize on that interest.

The playoffs were full of entertaining games, but for some reason, the entire second round in the Eastern Conference was some of the best hockey in a while. Boston took on Philly and Montreal played Sidney Crosby and the Pens. It felt like every single game was a one goal affair and both series went the distance before seeing Philadelphia and Montreal (the lowest seeded teams in the East) emerge.

No. 25 U.S.A. (Soccer) Vs. Algeria: Landon Donovan's Miracle Goal

It's no secret, but Americans haven't exactly taken up much of an interest in soccer since breaking away from the mother country some 234 odd years ago. It's generally viewed as a secondary sport in this country and rarely garners much attention in the mainstream media.

However, being the Xenophobes that we are, the United States takes a bit more of a vested interest in our national squad once every four years when the World Cup is held. 

This year in South Africa at the end of group play, the U.S. team needed a win against Algeria to advance out of group play and win their group for the first time in 80 years and America tuned in.

What they got was about 90 minutes of nothing and then this Landon Donovan goal that shocked the world and won the game for the United States. 

No. 24 Illinois @ Michigan: Wolverines Win Triple OT Shootout

It's a new day and age in college football with the ideology being centered around offense, and this football game had a ton of it.

This was slated to be a shootout from the start, but nobody expected what actually transpired. In a conference that often considers itself a grind it out, tough guy conference, these two teams combined for 1237 yards and 132 points.

In the third overtime, Michigan scored and converted the mandatory two point conversion attempt. Illinois followed with a score of its own but failed to convert its two point attempt and lost 67-65. 

No. 23 Tennessee @ Louisiana State: LSU Wins on Second Chance

I was raised a Notre Dame fan and went to the University of Tennessee, and this game was eerily similar to the "Bush Push" game between USC and ND in 2005 because it was absolutely heart breaking. 

The Vols fought for 60 minutes against an LSU team that had them outmatched and thought they had the game won after a Jordan Jefferson fumble as time expired, but after further review, it was determined that Tennessee had not one, BUT TWO, too many players on the field.

So they put the ball on the one and lined the two teams up again and the rest is history. LSU tailback Stevan Ridley punched it in and the Tigers were able to stay unbeaten at the expense of my beloved Vols.

No. 22 Kentucky Vs. Mississippi State: Cousins Put Back Sends SEC Title to OT

Kentucky fans got a real shot of life into their program this year after the debacle that was Billy Gillespie. John Calipari essentially turned Lexington into a farm system for the NBA with guys like Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall.

All that youthful talent was on display in Nashville for the SEC tournament championship game, but late in the contest, the Wildcats were trailing the Mississippi State Bulldogs. On the final possession of regulation, the 'Cats trailed by two when John Wall got a hold of a loose ball and let one fly from three to win the game. 

The shot came up short, but fellow freshman DeMarcus Cousins was there to stick home the put back as time expired and send the game to OT. In overtime, John Wall took the game over, scoring seven of Kentucky's 11 points in extra time, and the Wildcats went on to win their first SEC tourney title since '04.

No. 21 Lakers @ Thunder: Gasol Eliminates Durant and the Thunder

This year's NBA playoffs were not the most hotly contested playoffs of recent memory. Only two series went seven games and their were three sweeps in the second round alone.

However, one of the more entertaining series of the year was the first round matchup between the defending champion L.A. Lakers and the young and talented Oklahoma City Thunder. In game six, it appeared that Durant and OKC was about to send the series back to Los Angeles for a seventh game after a Kobe Bryant miss, but Lakers C Pau Gasol gathered the rebound and got the shot to go with .5 seconds left on the clock.

When the horn sounded, the Lakers sent Durant and company home for the spring and then went on to win their second straight championship.

No. 20 Boise State @ Virginia Tech

This was one of the most hyped up games in the regular season in recent memory for college football, because after the Broncos closed out their perfect season in 2009, all signs pointed to September 6th, 2010, in Washington D.C. being their proving grounds for this season. 

All offseason the game was built up as Boise's shot to prove that they belong in the elite category, and fortunately for us, the game certainly lived up to it's billing.

Boise jumped out to an early lead, but Virginia Tech gathered themselves and fought their way back to a lead late in the ball game. Then Boise State's junior QB Kellen Moore took over on the Broncos final possession and led the team on a five play, 58 yard drive that spanned 43 seconds to give the Broncos a 33-30 lead.

The Hokies were unable to answer and the Broncos proved to the country, at least for a little while, that they belonged in that upper echelon of college football.

No. 19 Phillies @ Giants: Uribe Sac Fly Puts Giants Up 3-1 In NLCS

The Giants have had a bit of a rough go since relocating to San Francisco from New York. Sure, they have had some very talented teams in their time on the left coast, but that World Series title was elusive for the Giants.

That all changed this year when the Giants ripped off one of those magical post-season runs. They got production from the most unlikely of places during their run and leaned heavily on one of the better young pitching staffs in baseball.

Game four was more of the same for the Giants, when injured shortstop Juan Uribe lifted an offering off Roy Oswalt into deep left field and plated Aubrey Huff on a walk-off sacrifice fly.

No. 18 Notre Dame @ Michigan State: D'Antonio's Gutsy Call Shocks Irish

If you've been a Notre Dame fan for the last decade and a half, then you certainly have dealt with your fair share of pain and suffering, but nothing has been as painful as the September 18th loss to Michigan State.

The Irish and the Spartans battled through a back and forth game for four quarters and went to extra time tied at 28. In the first overtime Notre Dame settled for a field goal. On Michigan State's possession the Irish thought they had made another stop to force another OT as Dan Conroy lined up for a 46 yard field goal.

Then Mark D'Antonio whipped out the gutsiest call I have seen in my lifetime in college football and ordered up a fake. Holder Aaron Bates stood up and found TE Charlie Gantt coming free down the right side. Gantt scored, Notre Dame lost, and D'Antonio had a heart attack from sheer excitement shortly thereafter.

No. 17 Blackhawks @ Flyers: Flyers Win Game 3 on Giroux Redirect

The NHL had a dream season in 2010. Gary Bettman has been burning the wick at both ends doing everything he can to try to improve waning interest in the NHL, but in February, he got a gift he hadn't exactly planned on.

The United States made a dream run in the Olympic hockey tournament and captured the attention of an American market that had not exactly been tuned in. Couple that with the resurgence of an original six team in a major market, the Chicago Blackhawks, and you've got a recipe for success.

In game three of the Stanley Cup finals, Versus got the highest ratings in the history of its network, and those who tuned in got to see a great game. The Flyers were able to cut into the Blackhawks series lead in overtime off a Claude Giroux redirect, but the Blackhawks would have the last laugh in the series.

No. 16 Yankees @ Rangers: Five Run Eighth Inning Gives Yankees 1-0 Lead

Sorry I couldn't find a great video for this game, but this was a great ball game.

The Rangers came out in front of a raucous home crowd and stormed to a 5-0 lead before Robinson Cano's solo home run in the seventh inning finally got the Yankees on the board.

Then in the eighth, the Yankees whipped out the big sticks and pushed five runs across, giving the Yankees a 6-5 lead before legendary closer Mariano Rivera slammed the door shut on the Texas Rangers.

No. 15 Falcons @ Saints: Hartley's Missed FG Proves Costly for the Saints

It's funny how quickly someone can go from being a hero to a villain in sports, especially if you are a kicker in the NFL.

Saints kicker Garrett Hartley was a major part of the Saints Super Bowl Championship run in February, but this fall, he quickly fell on hard times in New Orleans.

In week three, the Saints had a crucial early season matchup with NFC South rival Atlanta. The game went to overtime, and Hartley had a 29 yard chip shot to win the game, which he shanked wide left. The Falcons capitalized on the second chance, and Atlanta kicker Matt Bryant split the uprights on his attempt to give the Falcons a huge early season win over the defending champions.

No. 14 Giants @ Phillies: Uribe Eighth Inning Homer Propels Giants to Series

Game six of the Giants and Phillies NLCS was another great game in what wound up being a fantastic series. 

In the top of the eighth inning, Juan Uribe struck again with an opposite field solo home run that gave the Giants the lead. Brian Wilson closed it out with a five out save, and the best part about watching the Giants win this postseason....watching Wilson's post game interviews.

No. 13 Auburn @ Alabama: Cam Newton Leads Auburn's 24 Point Comeback

Auburn and Alabama is one of the greatest rivalries in college football, and this year, the Iron Bowl was especially meaningful, with one team in the hunt for a national championship and the other trying to keep a BCS bid alive.

Alabama was the favorites in this game, even though it was Auburn that was vying for a national championship spot. Alabama came out firing on all cylinders and jumped on Auburn early, gaining a 24-0 lead.

Then after a slow start, Auburn's Heisman Trophy candidate (and eventual winner) Cam Newton took over, scoring three second half touchdowns and leading the Tigers comeback giving them the victory, 28-27, and keeping their perfect season alive.

No. 12 Eagles @ Giants: The New Miracle at the Meadowlands

With about eight minutes left in this ball game, the Giants had a three score lead and were about to gain control over the NFC east.

Then Michael Vick decided to take the ball game over and lead the Eagles on three scoring drives to tie the ball game at 31. The Eagles were then able to force a three and out, and with 14 seconds left, all the Giants needed to do to force overtime was punt the ball away from Desean Jackson.

Things didn't exactly go as planned and you guys know the rest of the story. Jackson did what Jackson does and now the Giants have an uphill battle to make the playoffs at all.

No. 11 Northern Iowa Vs. Kansas: Farokhmanesh's Ill Advised 3 Buries Jayhawks

The basketball handbook says that if you have 30 seconds left on the shot clock and 36 seconds left in the game with a one point lead, you are supposed to bleed as much clock as possible while trying to get a good look. Not jack up a three with no offensive rebounders, but Northern Iowa guard Ali Farokhmanesh doesn't seem to care much about all that.

The Panthers bounced the number one seeded Kansas Jayhawks on the backs of this heartbreaking shot, and once again, the NCAA tournament pumps out another Cinderella story.

No. 10 Boise State @ Nevada: Boise Kicker Misses Two Huge FG's, Boise Falls

Boise State was slated to be the first legitimate BCS National Title contender from a non automatic-qualifying conference. Unfortunately, their quality win against Virginia Tech lost its shine due to a Virginia Tech loss to FCS James Madison.

However, not all was lost, because Boise State was still alive for a potential BCS bid until a late November matchup with conference rival Nevada and their star quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Nevada gave the Broncos everything they could handle, but Boise still had a chance to win at the end of regulation.

Bronco kicker Kyle Brotzman had a 26 yard FG to seal the deal but missed. Then in overtime he had a 29 yarder to tie and missed again, costing the Broncos the win and any chance at a BCS bid.

No. 9 Celtics @ Lakers: Lakers Win Title Number 17

This game was sloppy, and to be honest, it just wasn't that well played, but that doesn't change the fact that any time you get the NBA's two most storied franchises together, it is going to be entertaining.

The series went seven games, and in the final, Kobe was able to do just enough to take the Lakers to the promised land despite his poor shooting performance.

Plus, the Lakers winning a championship meant that we got to listen to a Ron Artest post game interview, and that is something that everyone should be privileged to.

No. 8 Packers @ Cardinals: Warner and Rodgers Duel In a Wildcard Shootout

According to Don Cheadle and the NFL's 2002 ad campaign, crazy is why we watch football and crazy is what the NFL gave us January 12th win the Cardinals knocked off the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime.

Aaron Rodgers of the Pack threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns and Kurt Warner, not to be outdone, threw for five touchdowns of his own.

This game was as dramatic as it was high scoring and just when you thought the defense might as well pack it up and go home, the Cardinals force a turnover that wins them the game in overtime.

No. 7 Suns @ Lakers: Artest Keeps the Lakers Unbeaten at Home In Playoffs

The Lakers made their living in the 2010 NBA Playoffs by dominating at home, so facing the prospects of losing game 5 of the Western Conference Finals and going to Phoenix down 3-2 was not an option for the Lakers.

L.A. had the ball with 3.5 seconds left with the game tied at 101, and all eyes in the Staples Center were on Kobe. Kobe took the inbound and fired up a prayer which fell short, but Ron Artest was there to clean up the garbage and laid it in as time expired. It gave the Lakers the series lead, and eventually, the Lakers turned in yet another title.

No. 6 Blackhawks @ Flyers: Patrick Kane Goal Ends Hawks 49 Year Drought

The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the proudest franchises in the NHL, as well as one of the original six, but prior to their break out year in 08-09, the Hawks had fallen on hard times.

Slowly but surely the Hawks were able to build upon a solid young nucleus that included Patrick Kane, Jonathon Toews and Duncan Keith, and in 2010, the Hawks were able to win their first Stanley Cup since 1961.

And they did it in dramatic fashion, winning game 6 and the Stanley Cup on an overtime goal from an odd angle from star winger Patrick Kane. 

No. 5 Saints Vs. Colts: Porter's Fourth Quarter INT Seals Super Bowl

Everyone knows the city of New Orleans has been a city in ruins since Hurricane Katrina, and it is safe to say that the majority of Americans outside of Indianapolis were pulling for Drew Brees and the Saints.

But with the Saints leading 24-17, Peyton Manning took the ball and began what many just assumed would be another typical Peyton Manning drive. Tracy Porter, however, had other plans and stepped in front of a Manning offering and took it to the house, sealing the deal for the Saints and sending the city of New Orleans into pandemonium.

No. 4 Reds @ Phillies: Halladay Throws First Playoff No-Hitter Since Larsen

The 2010 MLB Postseason started off with a bang when Roy Halladay threw the first playoff no-hitter since Don Larsen's perfect game with the Yankees in the 1956 World Series.

It certainly made for a tough act to follow, and it is probably the most lasting memory of the 2010 postseason. 

The most impressive thing about Halladay's no-hitter, in my opinion, is that it was his first playoff start of his career!

No.3 Vikings @ Saints: Hartley's OT Field Goal Puts Saints In Super Bowl

Hartley has already appeared as a villain for the Saints once on this list, but during the NFC championship game, he got to play the role of hero as well.

The Saints fought tooth and nail with Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, and it all came down to a 40 yard boot off the foot of Garrett Hartley, which Hartley put through to send the Saints to their first ever Super Bowl Appearance.

No. 2 Duke Vs. Butler: Heyward's Desperation Heave Won't Fall

This was one of the true David and Goliath stories in sports. Butler being the mid-major playing the role of David and Duke being the perennial powerhouse that plays the role of Goliath.

But don't be fooled; Butler had as much talent and experience as the next guys, and they went to war with the Dukies but came up just short. Butler did get one last go at a win against the Dukies and they got the ball into the hands of their star. Gordon Heyward let one fly from about 46 feet, and the ball hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity before violently smashing off the backboard and the front of the rim before falling to the floor.

Duke won the game and the title, but Butler certainly gave the nation an underdog to root for.

No. 1 USA Vs. Canada: Crosby's OT Goal Brings Gold to Canada

Hockey is somewhat of a secondary sport in the United States, but it means everything in hockey. So when the United States beat the Canadians in group play, it turned a few heads back in the states and probably spurned a few new hockey fans.

That set the stage for an absolute war when the two teams were matched up again in the gold medal game. The upper two-thirds of North America tuned in to this contest and they got an absolute treat.

Ryan Miller did everything in his power to keep the out manned Americans in the game, but eventually, the Sidney Crosby and the Canadians struck gold in overtime.