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.
BE WARNED THE CURMUDGEON IS IN A REAL PISSY MOOD!
1. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets had an interesting week going 2-1-0 are 8-7-0 overall. For me this week was all about goaltending. In Anaheim, I thought the team played fairly well but Helle was off and if Helle is off this team is in trouble. In San Jose Helle was unconscious, making 51 saves in STEALING a win. In Vegas, Laurent Brossoit went into sieve mode for 5 minutes in the first period giving up three goals but to his credit, he shut the door the rest of the way and gave his team a chance to work themselves back into the game AND they did, winning it in overtime. To use an old golf analogy, it’s a good thing there are no pictures on the scorecard.
2. Moose: The Manitoba Moose had a good weekend and sweep their two games versus Grand Rapids. They are now 3-7-0-0. Jansen Harkins had a nice weekend with a goal and seven helpers in the two games.
By the way, the American Hockey League announced Jansen Harkins has been selected as the “CCM/AHL Player of the Week” for the period ending November 3, 2019.
3. Jets: I hope TNSE gives Paul Maurice a five-year contract extension just to piss-off the PoMo haters including my buddy BEN in Alberta.
4. Blue Bombers: The match-ups are set and to no one’s surprise the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will open on the road in Calgary. I will still be cheering for the good guys but I’m not drinking any of the Blue Bombers Kool-Aid because for me this season was a major disappointment. WOW, the Bombers made the playoffs again in a nine team league where SIX teams go to the post-season. BIG F’N WHOOP-DEE-DOO.
5. NHL: I hope the NHL never bans fighting just to piss-off the do-gooders that think they know what NHL players want and don’t want. I could care less whether there is fighting or not in hockey but I love how it pisses off the pacifists.
6. Jets: I hope TNSE gives Kevin Cheveldayoff a seven-year contract extension just to piss-off the Chevy haters. That should be long enough for him to find more Bourques, Letestus and Bitettos.
7. Jets: Neal Pionk is starting to open some eyes with his steady play. He is not Jacob Trouba but he is better than most Winnipeg Jets fans thought he would be.
8. Troll thought of the week: I love Kevin Sawyer and I hope he is on TSN Jets broadcasts for many many years.
9. Blue Bombers: I wonder what is happening with the quarterbacking situation? Is Zach Collaros starting? Is Chris Streveler even dressing for the game? Apparently Streveler is still wearing a walking boot.
10. Jets: The Dustin Byfuglien watch. The big news this past week was broken by Bob MacKenzie that Dustin Byfuglien had ankle surgery last week. Without knowing all the facts I tend to lean in favour of Dustin Byfuglien in this situation. I realize there is a process that needs to be followed now but I feel like I have a pretty good idea what happened. Let the fun and more speculation begin.
This Byfuglien story is crazy.#GoJetsGo #Byfuglien pic.twitter.com/Carz7ciagY
— Nik ? (@leafsfannik) November 3, 2019
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11. Jets: I’m not overly concerned with Josh Morrissey’s struggles early on because he is too good of a player for this to last any length of time. Josh will be just fine.
12. Jets: Somebody in the Jets brain trust has to show some balls and step up and say that the penalty kill is not working and it is time for a system change. You will never win with a bunch of F’N yes men behind the bench. If I was trolling myself I would say I love how the PK collapses and becomes a shooting gallery BUT I feel sorry for the players that have to block those shots. That is cruel and unusual punishment.
13. Jets: I hope Paul Maurice never splits up Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. I love how it pisses off Jets fans on Twitter. PoMo runs his bench LOL.
14. This week:
- Winnipeg Jets – Nov. 5, 8, 10
- Winnipeg Ice – Nov. 6, 8, 9
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Nov. 10: CFL West semi-final at Calgary. (TSN 3)
15. Goaltending:
- Conner Hellebuyck: 6-5-0 … 2.57 GAA … .927 SV%
- Laurent Brossoit: 2-2-0 … 4.12 GAA … .858 SV%
16. 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 15.70% down from 22nd at 16.30%
- PK: 30st at 67.70% up from 31st at 64.00%
- FO: 18th at 49.50% down from 9th at 51.40%
17. Final Thought: I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. Being crotchety is very underrated.
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Thanks, Mitch
