the mad sports man

 Oh boy what a weekend.  Start with speedskating.  Women's team pursuit picked up a gold AND a track record.  Men's team pursuit got a silver.  Ivanie Blondin got another silver in the mass start. Laurent Dubreuil got a silver and bronze in the 500m and a bronze in the 1000m. At the X-Games, Megan Oldham got a silver in ski big air and a bronze in ski slopestyle.  Laurie Blouin got a bronze in snowboard slopestyle.  Cassie Sharpe got a silver and Rachel Karker got a bronze, both in ski cross superpipe. Evan McEachran got a bronze in ski slopestyle. In bobsled, Melissa Lotholz won a bronze in monobob, while Justin Kripps, Ryan Sommer, Ben Coakwell and Cam Stones won bronze in 4 man. Elsewhere Marie-Michelle Gagnon won bronze in the super g in Germany, and Lewis Irving claimed bronze in freestyle aerials in Belarus. Wow what a weekend. Perfect capper to end January.

 Sheesh the end of January is upon us.  The NHL returned with a 56 game schedule, world juniors ended with the USA winning, NFL postseason began and almost ended, speedskating, curling, loads of snowboarding and skiing all returning.  February should be fun.

 This tournament was held in Lake Placid NY and held from February 4-13.  Due to the great depression, only four teams participated. Canada was represented by Winnipeg hockey club and won gold for the fourth Olympics in a row. USA won silver (3rd silver) and Germany won bronze (1st).  Poland finished 4th.

 Oh boy did Canada have a great weekend.  I think I counted 12 medals.  At the speedskating bubble in the Netherlands, Heather McLean won bronze in the 500m, Laurent Dubreuel won silver in the 500m, Ivanie Blondin won a silver in the mass start, womens team pursuit won gold and men's team pursuit won bronze.  Reece Howden won three golds in ski cross in Sweden and Marielle Thompson won bronze in ski cross, also in Sweden. Jane Channel won bronze in skeleton and Marion Thenault won a bronze in Moscow.  Don't remember the event.  Yeah that's a good weekend.

 The Kansas City Chiefs are going to their second straight super bowl after beating Buffalo 38-24.  Patrick Mahomes vs Tom Brady.  Going to be a good game I think. Super bowl is on February 7.

 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are super bowl bound after beating Green Bay 31-26 in the NFC championship game. It was looking one sided then got real interesting.  Tampa Bay's first super bowl since super bowl 37 when they won it. Tom Brady's millionth super bowl (seriously I think he's in his 10th).  Tampa Bay will get either Buffalo or Kansas City. That game is coming up.

 The 1928 tournament was in St. Moritz Switzerland and held from February 11-19. 11 teams at this tournament. Toronto Varsity Blues represented Canada here.   Canada got an automatic bye into the final round aft officials determined their superiority (33 goals they scored against one team).  Great Britain came out of group A (4 teams there), Sweden came out of group B (3 teams) and Switzerland came out of group C (3 teams).  Canada won their third gold medal in a row, Sweden with their first silver and Switzerland with their first bronze.  Tomorrow- 1932.

 This year's tournament was held in Chamonix France from January 28 to February 3. Toronto Granites represented Canada at these games. 1. Tournament was held outdoors. 2.  All games played in a round robin format.  3. First round had two groups of four with top two going to final round. Canada and Sweden came out of group A and USA and Great Britain came out of group B. 4. Canada ended up winning gold, USA with silver and Great Britain with bronze.  Tomorrow - the 1928 games.

 Yet a different series. First ice hockey at the Olympics was at the 1920 summer games in Antwerp Belgium. (Yes it was at a summer games). Winnipeg Falcons represented Canada at these games.  Only time it was at a summer games. The Bergvall system was used.  Tournament had seven teams and a single elimination format was used to win gold, which was won by Canada. Silver medal round had teams that had lost to Canada. The U.S beat Sweden in the semi final game, then beat Czechoslovakia for silver.  Bronze medal game had teams losing to Canada AND the U.S.  Sweden beat Switzerland in the semi final and lost to Czechoslovakia for bronze.  Interesting Sweden plays six games and finishes fourth while Canada plays three and wins gold.  Bergvall system was never used again.  Canada gold USA silver and Czechoslovakia bronze. Tomorrow- the 1924 winter Olympics.

 Penny Oleksiak, Kylie Masse, Margaret MacNeil, Taylor Ruck, Sydney Pickrem and Markus Thormeyer have been named to Canada's Olympic team. This announcement comes as news swirling whether the games would get cancelled.  This gives other athletes a peace of mind for selections.  Canadian swim trials are in late May and another event is planned for late June.  Extra time to prepare for the trials (originally scheduled for April), and more will be added to the team.  So there you go.

 This season had 9 teams and 48 games. Aurel Joliat (Canadiens) was league MVP, Charlie Conacher (Toronto) was top point getter (32g 20a), and Wilf Cude (Montreal, Detroit) was top goalie with a 1.47 GAA. Montreal had loaned Cude to Detroit.  Lorne Chabot was traded to Montreal for George Hainsworth. Ottawa sold Cooney Weiland to Detroit after holding out. They also loaned the Americans a goalie after Roy Worters got hurt. That goalie ended up beating Ottawa in New York's next game. New York Americans was second team to have two sets of uniforms. First all star game happened on Feb 14. Was a benefit game for Ace Bailey.  QF had Chicago beat Montreal 4 goals to 3, while the Maroons the Rangers 2 goals to 1. SF had Chicago beat the Maroons 6 goals to 2 while Detroit beat Toronto three games to two. Chicago beats Detroit three games to one to win the Stanley Cup.

 The 1931-32 season had 8 teams and expanded its schedule to 48 games.  1.  Maple Leaf Gardens opened November 12 1931, less than five months after breaking ground. Workers had to take stock in lieu of payment to finish the job. 2. Howie Morenz was season MVP. 3. Charlie Gardiner (Chicago) was top goalie with a 1.85 GAA while George Hainsworth had 25 wins. 4. Busher Jackson of Toronto was top point getter with 53 points (28 g 25a). 5.  QF had Toronto beat Chicago 6 goals to 2 while the Maroons beat Detroit 3 goals to 1.  SF had Toronto beat the Maroons 4 goals to 3 and the Rangers beat the Canadiens 3 games to 1. Toronto then beat the Rangers 3 games to none to win the Stanley Cup. The 1932-33 season had the Ottawa Senators return, but they won't last too long. Their return makes 9 teams and 48 games. 2. Detroit Falcons become the Red Wings. 3.  Four goalies serve as captains.  4.  Eddie Shore was season MVP with Boston. 5. Bill Cook of the Rangers was top point getter with 50 poin

 The skiing and snowboarding bubble planned for Calgary next month has been cancelled.  Major sticking point was the amount of teams and countries coming over safely.  This a day after two Canadian snowboarders got covid 19.  Bit of an ouch.  Will be interesting to see if the curling bubble will go on.

 The 1929-30 had 10 teams and 44 games. 1. January 7, Clint Benedict was first goalie to wear a mask.  He wore a crude one to protect a broken nose. 2.  Pirates last season in Pittsburgh. Moved to Philadelphia for next season.  3. Busher Jackson, Charlie Conacher and Joe Primeau formed kid line in Toronto. Conn Smythe had brought up Jackson and Conacher. 4. Cooney Weiland (43g 30a) and Tiny Thompson (38w 5l 1t, 2.19 GAA) were top scorer and top goalie. Both played in Boston.  Weiland had taken advantage of new offside rules. QF: Montreal Canadiens beat Chicago 3 goals to 2, while NY Rangers beat Ottawa 6 goals to 3. SF: Montreal beat Rangers 2 games to none, Boston beat Maroons 3 games to 1. Montreal Canadiens beat Boston two games to none to win the Stanley Cup. 1930-31 had 10 teams and 44 games. 1. Quakers spend only season in Philadelphia (4w 36l 4t). Great depression had started wreaking havok in the NHL. Quakers suspended operations, and ultimately never came back. Ottawa Senators

 The 1927-28 season still had 10 teams and 44 games schedule. 1. Toronto St Patricks become the Maple Leafs when Conn Smythe bought the team. 2. They changed their colors from green to blue AND have a set of white uniforms and blue uniforms.  3. The Canadiens Howie morenz was top scorer with 51 points and teammate George Hainsworth was to goalie with a 1.05 GAA. The QF had the Maroons beat Ottawa 3g to 1, while the Rangers beat Pittsburgh 6g to four. Sf had the Maroons beat the Canadiens 3g to two and the Rangers beat Boston 6 g to two. Rangers become the first American based NHL team to win the Stanley Cup beating the Maroons three games to two. 1928-29 still had 10 teams and 44 games.  1.  Forward passing was allowed. 2. Ottawa's financial woes deepen. 3. Chicago sets scoring futility records (33 goals for, 85 allowed, shut out in 8 straight games from February 7-28). 4.  Ace Bailey was top scorer (32 points), while George Hainsworth was top goalie (0.92 GAA). 5.  Playoff format

 The Buccaneers will be heading for Green Bay to play the NFC championship game after beating New Orleans 30-20. May have been Drew Brees last game.  Bucs vs Packers is next Sunday at 2:05 and Bills vs Chiefs is next Sunday at 5:40.

 Wow Kansas City hung on to beat Cleveland 22-17 and will be appearing in the AFC championship game for the 3rd year in a row. They will be playing Buffalo, who is making their first AFC championship game in 27 years.  Next up has Tampa Bay at New Orleans, with the winner going to Green Bay.

 The 1925-26 season had the Hamilton Tigers dropped and had the New York Americans and Pittsburgh Pirates (not to confuse them with the baseball team), making 7 teams and schedule expanded to 36 games.  Nels Stewart of the Maroons was top scorer with 42 points (34g 8a) and won Hart Trophy.  Alec Connell was top goalie with 1.12 GAA.  Frank Nighbor won the Lady Byng trophy (gentlemanly conduct). Lady Byng trophy was introduced the previous season and Nighbor won that.  The postseason had the Montreal Maroons beat Pittsburgh 6 goals to 4 in semis, then beat Ottawa 2 goals to 1 for NHL championship, then beat Victoria Cougars 3 games to 1 for the Stanley Cup. The WHL (formally the WCHL)  folded the following May, making the NHL the only league existing. 1926-27 had three teams join. Victoria Cougars became the Detroit Cougars, Portland Rosebuds became the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers picked up other players from the WHL.  That makes 10 teams playing a 44 game schedule.  Div

 After a sluggish first half (3-3 tie), the Buffalo Bills score two TDs, one being a 101 yard pick 6 (interception for a TD) that ended Baltimore's 10 minute drive.  Bills win 17-3 and will be facing either Kansas City or Cleveland for the AFC championship game.  That game is tomorrow.

 The Green Bay Packers will be hosting the NFC championship game after beating the Los Angeles Rams 32-18.  They will get the winner of the Saints/Buccaneers game.  That game is tomorrow.  Next up has Baltimore at Buffalo.

 The 1923-24 season had 4 teams and 24 games schedule.  1. Plans for expanding into the U.S. were discussed. 2. Frank Nighbor of Ottawa was first Hart Trophy winner. 3. Cy Denneny of Ottawa was top point getter with 24 points (22 g 2 a).  4. Georges Vezina was top goalie with 1.97 has.  5. Montreal beat Ottawa 5 goals to 2 to win NHL championship, then beat Vancouver Maroons 2 games to none in semi finals, then beat Calgary Tigers to win Stanley Cup.  6. PCHA folded after this season leaving the NHL and WCHA. 1924-24 see two teams added and 6 more games added, making a six team league and a 30 game schedule. 1.  Boston Bruins and Montreal Maroons were added (yes there were two teams in Montreal).  2. New playoff format had 1st place team get bye into league finals and 2nd and 3rd place teams play in league semis.  3.  Hamilton Tigers had finished first and refused to play unless they got $200 for each player for the six extra regular season games played. They and the NHL negotiated to

 The 1921-22 season still at four teams and 24 games schedule. Punch Broadbent of Ottawa was top scorer with 46 points (33 g 14 a). Split season was eliminated so no half winners. Top two teams at the end of season played for NHL championship.  NHL, WCHA and PCHA had postseason at same time (yes there were three leagues). Toronto beat Ottawa in two gam total goals series, then beat Vancouver Maroons three games to two for Stanley Cup. King Clancy, Frank and Billy Boucher debuted this season. 1922-23 also had 4 teams and 24 games schedule.  Babe Dye was top scorer with 37 points (26 g, 11 a).  Clint Benedict was top goalie with a 2.18 GAA.  January 31, 1923 Montreal Canadiens and Hamilton Tigers played in first penalty free game. Montreal won 5-4. February 14, 1923 Toronto Star radio station CFCA broadcast the 3rd period between Ottawa and Toronto, thus becoming first game to be broadcast.  Ottawa beat Montreal 3-2 in two game total goals series for NHL championship, then beat Vancouver

 Start with the 1919-20 NHL season, which added the Quebec Bulldogs as 4th team. The Toronto Arenas become the Toronto St. Patricks after a change in ownership. Joe Malone scores 7 goals in a game for the Bulldogs, and becomes leading point getting with 49 points (39 goals, 10 assists).  Ottawa won both halves of the season, winning the NHL championship, then beating the Seattle Metropolitans three games to two to win the Stanley Cup. The 1920-21 season still had 4 teams. Quebec Bulldogs move to Hamilton, becoming the Tigers.  This is the last season the split schedule was used.  Games played went from 20 to 24.  Ottawa Senators beat Toronto to win the NHL championship and then beat the Vancouver Millionaires three games to two to win the Stanley Cup.  Two more seasons tomorrow.

 Should have started doing this in March when I started season by season recaps.  So I will be doing a couple a day till I get caught up to the 1933-34 season (where I'm at now). Sooooo. The 1917-18 NHL season had: 1. The NHL form November 22, 1917. 2. First games December 19 with the Montreal Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators (the original ones) 7-4. Joe Hall scored 5 goals. Also the Montreal Wanderers beating Toronto 10-9. The Wanderers arena burned down a few days later and had to withdraw. Toronto beat the Canadiens 10-7 in a total goals series for the NHL championship, then beat Vancouver ( PCHL champ) 3 games to 2 for the Stanley Cup. The 1918-19 season saw Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa play.  Season had a 20 game schedule to be played in two halves.  Toronto had to withdraw after game 18 of the season due to financial constraints. (That will be a theme later). Montreal beat Ottawa 4 games to 1 for the NHL championship. NHL and the west coast League had their champions battle

 Cleveland went up 28-0 after one quarter, 21 points on turnovers, was up 35-10 at halftime and hung on to beat Pittsburgh 48-33 to go to the divisional round. They will play Kansas City on Sunday, along with Tampa Bay at New Orleans.  Baltimore will be at Buffalo on Saturday along with Los Angeles Rams going to Green Bay.

 New Orleans just beat Chicago 21-9 and will face Tampa Bay in the divisional round. Green Bay will face the L.A Rams in the other in the NFC.  I read the nine points New Orleans allowed is the fewest the team has ever given up in Saints history.  Next up has Cleveland at Pittsburgh it finish off the wild card round.

 The Baltimore Ravens are into the divisional round after beating Tennessee 20-13. Who they will play depends on the Cleveland vs Pittsburgh game. That is tonight.  Up next has Chicago vs New Orleans.

 The night capper had Tampa Bay beating Washington 31-23 to get to the divisional round.  Stay tuned for who they play next (won't be Green Bay).

 The L.A Rams has beaten Seattle 30-20 to play in the divisional round.  First "upset" I suppose. Stay tuned for who they get next. (May or may not be Green Bay)

 Buffalo barely hung on to beat Indianapolis 27-24.  Ended up a good game and an almost crazy finish when Indianapolis had a fumble that ended up not a fumble. Stay tuned for who Buffalo plays next in the divisional. (It won't be Kansas City).

 Announced today: World Cup skiing and snowboarding bubble will be happening February 15 to March 15 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. The Scotties are in Calgary starting February 20. The Brier is also in Calgary starting March 5.  Some provinces have chosen their representatives to represent at the Scotties and Brier.  Alberta wants to hold playdowns.  Some teams don't want playdowns to happen.  If cancelled, last year's reps will be going.  Should get interesting quick.  Thanks to Devin Heroux for these updates.

 The United States are world Junior Hockey champions after shutting out Canada 2-0 to win their 5th championship. (3 against Canada and one vs Sweden).  US out played Canada and Stephen Knight was outstanding in net.  That's it for another tournament until boxing Day.

 Finland just picked up their 7th ever WJC bronze by beating Russia 4-1.  This was closer than what the score says.  Finland had two empty netters to seal it.  Coming up: Canada vs USA in an hour and a half.  Should be good.

 This got exciting at the end.  US had a 3-1 lead, Finland came back to tie it, then the US scored late and hung on to win 4-3 and will face Canada for gold tomorrow night.  Finland will face Russia for bronze tomorrow afternoon.  The end is close.

 Canada had total control of this game as they shut out Russia 5-0 and will play for gold tomorrow night at 8:30pm Prince Albert time. Russia will play for bronze tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 pm Prince Albert time.  Up next has the US vs Finland in the other semi final game.

 Last day of the NFL regular season is done.  First year of the expanded playoffs format has 7 teams in each conference advance instead of 6 (12 to 14 teams).  In the AFC, Indianapolis visits Buffalo, Cleveland goes to Pittsburgh and Baltimore goes to Tennessee with Kansas City getting the bye.  The NFC has New Orleans home to Chicago, L.A Rams in Seattle and Tampa Bay going to Washington with Green Bay getting the bye.  Postseason starts next weekend.

 The USA beat Slovakia 5-2 in the last quarter final game of the night.  They went up 3-0, Slovakia made it a game, pulled their goalie, then the US scored not one but two empty netters.  The semi finals are on Monday, with Canada vs Russia at 5pm and the US vs Finland at 8:30pm.  All times Prince Albert time.

 This was a close one.  Canada beat the Czech Republic 3-0 to get to the semis.  It was a pretty even game most of it.  Next up - USA vs Slovakia. This game will decide the semi final match ups.

 Sweden had a 2-0 lead. Key word is HAD.  Finland came back and win 3-2.  The got the winning goal with 25 seconds left in the third.  Ouch.  Next up - Canada vs Czech Republic.

 This was unexpectedly close. Russia hung on to beat Germany 2-1 to go to the semis on Monday.  Germany didn't do to bad for their first trip to the quarters.  Finland vs Sweden is next.

 2021 has arrived.  I can hear the fireworks going off.  Hopefully 2021 is better than the year that just ended.  Cheers folks.