Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”
Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in sports –
Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Toronto Raptors, all curlers from Manitoba, and all Canadian athletes competing on the international stage.
I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula. I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.
1. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets managed to earn five of six points this past week and worked themselves into a Wild-Card spot. Their overall record is now 10-7-1. Some say it is smoke and mirrors.
2. Moose: The Manitoba Moose had a decent week by winning two out of three on the road and are now 5-8-0-0 on the season. The Moose start a four-game homestand today with two games versus Texas and then two games versus San Antonio.
3. Blue Bombers: Winnipeg 35 – Calgary 14 … After a slow start to the game, the Bombers took over in the second half and won going away. The BIG BLUE trailed 14-8 at halftime but outscored the Stamps 21-0 in the second half. The bottom line in this game was the Bombers were able to run the ball and the Stamps couldn’t. This may be the most complete win I have seen in quite a while.
The Good:
- The Zach Collaros/Chris Streveler tandem kept the Calgary defence off-balance.
- Justin Medlock was money again.
- The defence was solid all game and holding Bo Levi Mitchell to ZERO passing yards in the third quarter was unbelievable.
The Bad:
- If I had to nitpick I would say the special teams weren’t very good.
The Ugly:
- I want to say the small crowd at McMahon Stadium BUT I can’t blame anyone for staying home in that cold weather.
4. Moose: Mikhail Berdin posted back to back shutouts on the road last week and it made me wonder how close he is to being Helle’s backup? I’m not sure about next year but probably the season after.
5. NHL: It seems like after every big hit in an NHL game the announcers wonder if it was suspendable? It is still hockey, right?
6. Jets: When did Blake Wheeler become public enemy number one? I must have missed the memo.
7. NHL: Overheard coming from a Vegas hotel room the next time the San Jose Sharks are in town. “Hey Evander, there’s some dude named Vito at the door for you. ICYMI, our friend Evander owers a Vegas casino some big coin. I believe the amount mentioned was around $500.000.
8. Random: It was a great weekend. The Jets beat Vancouver and Dallas, Bombers beat Calgary, Vikings beat “America’s Team”, and the Raps beat LeBron and the Lakers in L.A.
9. Blue Bombers: I think Zach Collaros might have a stronger arm than Matt Nichols. I love that he can throw the wideout with some zip on it. I’m sure the receivers do too.
10. Jets: The Dustin Byfuglien watch. Nothing new to discuss.
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11. Bombers: I have had my fair share of West Semi-Final wins in my lifetime but I don’t really remember the joy or feeling of winning a Western Final and especially on the road. Maybe this year?
12. Jets: There is just no pleasing some Winnipeg Jets fans. There is a narrative going around town that their record is smoke and mirrors because of all their OT wins. Funny how nobody has mentioned that in the St. Lois Blues’ current seven-game win streak that they have won FIVE games in OT.
13. Jets: Sunday afternoon versus the Dallas Stars the Lowry/Copp/Perrault line was playing Central Division hockey. I have no idea what the top two lines were playing.
14. Bombers: I never do this but desperate times call for desperate measures. This year the CFL Western Final falls on my birthday (I turn 64) and I never ask for birthday wins but this year I’m asking. I don’t ask for much but this old man would love a Blue Bombers win for me and my dad (83). I think we have suffered long enough. Please and Thanks.
15. Fun Fact: I’m not sure if this is a CFL first but Blue Bombers starting QB, Zach Collaros, led the team (and game) in passing while back-up QB, Chris Streveler, led the team (and game) in rushing.
16. This week:
- Manitoba Moose – Nov. 11, 13, 15, 17
- Winnipeg Jets – Nov. 12, 14, 16
- Winnipeg Ice – Nov. 11, 16, 17
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Nov. 17: CFL Western Final at Saskatchewan. (TSN 3)
17. Goaltending:
- Conner Hellebuyck: 8-5-1 … 2.28 GAA … .933 SV%
- Laurent Brossoit: 2-2-0 … 4.12 GAA … .858 SV%
18. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added. (as your minimum) I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.
- PP: 21st at 17.20% up from 21st at 15.70%
- PK: 28th at 73.00% up from 30th at 67.70%
- FO: 8th at 51.40% up from 18h at 49.50%
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Thanks, Mitch
Number 10, Jets or anybody?
It started out as Jets … I might adjust the poll now though.