Author Archives: Evan Power

NCAA March Madness – We’re Going to the ‘Ship!

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Over the course of a traditional college basketball season, there are teams with their fair share of highs and many others with their share of lows. After all, that is what collegiate sports are all about. The highs, and the lows.

This season and most importantly this tournament has painted that picture to the absolute peak of its poetic potential.

Ever since the tournament bracket was unveiled and people began to compare and contrast this mixed group of college teams, there was one key factor that was immeasurable to the eyes of consumers, that factor was heart.

Heading into this beautiful Saturday in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, four full rounds had been completed and this year’s Final Four was set in stone.

Final Four – Game 1: #1 Baylor Bears vs. #2 Houston Cougars

The champions of the Midwest region, the University of Houston Cougars entered semi-final weekend after four straight wins over high-flying, double-digit seeds. Taking down Oregon State, Syracuse, Rutgers and Cleveland State on their path to this point didn’t have many people convinced about their ability to shutdown a top team in the nation like Baylor.

Out of the South, those Baylor Bears appeared poised to make it back to the national championship on the backs of their balanced offensive attack and in-your-face defence. They had yet to play in a close game in the tournament, and there were doubters who thought it could end up being their downfall.

In a matchup where we thought rebounding could play a major part in how the game would go, it did, but not in the way it was supposed to.

Houston is a team built to dominate the glass and keep teams from winning inside. They had battered their opponents all year long and throughout the tournament by never being out-rebounded, or giving up second-chance opportunities.

On this day, none of that was working, in fact, it was working against them. The Baylor Bears made it their mission to beat the Cougars at their own game and put them away before the first half could even come to an end.

Despite a 17 point half from guard Marcus Sasser, the rest of the Cougs offense could only muster up a dismal 3 points. Down 25 points heading into the locker room, Houston could never get their back off the mat, no matter how well they actually did play in the second half.

For the Houston Cougars, it was a nightmare ending to an otherwise massive season for the program. Reaching the Final Four for the first time in nearly 4 decades, there is a lot to be proud of for the team and program, and they are most definitely back on the map in college basketball.

For Baylor, it was once again a group effort. 17 from Jared Butler, 11 each from snipers Macio Teague and Matt Mayer, along with 12 and huge defensive plays from Davion Mitchell. The Bears will now move on to play in their first national championship game since 1948.

Final Four – Game 2: #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. #11 UCLA Bruins

I can’t even begin to tell the tale that was this game. For so many amazing reasons, this will be a game that people look back on and call one of the greatest raw moments to transpire in the COVID-19 era of sports. Such a strange category to group things into, but I truly believe it is the perfect way to describe what happened throughout this night.

Introducing first, the MASSIVE underdog, and champions of the East region. The UCLA Bruins come into this game as David against Goliath. A team out of the first-four, a play-in game that determines whether a team on the bubble of the NCAA’s selection pool for the tournament will get a spot in the Round of 64.

The Bruins went from being down eleven points to the Michigan State Wolverines at halftime of the play-in match up to the Final Four and taking on one of the best college basketball teams we’ve ever seen.

They were projected to lose by 15 points, but they most definitely had other ideas.

Onto the winners of the West region, the undefeated 29-0 Gonzaga Bulldogs. Led by top 3 pick Jalen Suggs at point guard and a plethora of lethal offensive weapons around him inside the paint and out, people were already prepping for a long-awaited Baylor vs Gonzaga matchup for all the marbles.

Right off the bat, you almost had a feeling while watching the opening minutes that in no way was UCLA going to roll over and die. They were embracing every second of this, and it was evident in the types of shots they were taking, and making. Back and forth the teams went all night long, changing leads and taking turns having their taste of momentum.

Whenever one side took it, the other fought for it back. Gonzaga was one buzzer-beating shot by Corey Kispert away from trailing at halftime for the first time all year.

UCLA took the punches that Gonzaga had and managed to have enough life to throw some haymakers of their own. At the end of regulation, Bruins star scorer Johnny Juzang took the ball to the rim and was called for an offensive foul. While it was the right call, it was as close as it gets. They were that close to taking down goliath at the free-throw line.

The game went to OT, where Gonzaga began to carry the play and pace. With the Bulldogs up five points with under a minute to go, Jaime Jaquez dialed up a tough three-pointer, followed by a stop, to give UCLA the ball to tie the game up.

Johnny Juzang missed a tough running jumper in the paint but managed to gobble up his phone offensive rebound and lay the ball back in to tie the game up at 90.

Enter, Jalen Suggs.

A player who is making sure NBA scouts think twice when selecting anybody ahead of him in the coming NBA draft, Jalen Suggs made the shot heard around the world.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs used buzzer-beating magic to defeat the cinderella UCLA Bruins, 93-90, and are moving on to the national championship game on Monday against Baylor.

A game that no basketball fan will soon forget, this is exactly why I fell in love with sports in the first place. The ability it has to make you forget about all of the bad in the world and tune into something that can put you on the edge of your seat in an instant, or even completely off of it.

For what should be an intense and hard-fought national championship game on Monday night, I believe the Bulldogs have done everything they need to in order to finish off the perfect season.

Sitting at 30-0, I’m taking the Gonzaga Bulldogs to defeat the Baylor Bears 83-75 and capture the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

 

 

 

Welcome to the 2021 MLB Season!

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It is that time of the year once again.

The days are getting longer, the sun is coming out from behind the clouds, the air feels clean and baseball is back.

There is something about the constant revolving door that is the sports agenda that gives me goosebumps as a fan… The Masters in April, the Super Bowl, The Finals and MLB Opening Day are just a few occasions with the powers to get somebody a little bit more excitement in their daily life.

Baseball is a game of craft and perfection, as well as resilience and grit. It is a game where many find relaxation and peace.

Think back to the last time you were able to take in a live ball game, whether it was a local youth team, a Vancouver Canadians game at the Nat or the big leagues. You most likely have no clue what the score was, heck, you may not even know who won, but what you do know is that you enjoyed every moment.

The breezy matinee matchups with some warm peanuts or a showdown under the lights on a summer night, the great game of baseball provides an experience that everybody enjoys.

A BOUNCE BACK FOR BASEBALL –

On Thursday, we set sail on a brand-new season in Major League Baseball.

Coming off a 2020 campaign that was introduced to a worldwide pandemic right at the get-go, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has a fresh slate for 2021 and has stated that it will be an overall bounce-back year for the teams and league as a whole.

2020 was a sixty-game sprint from start to finish, therefore leading to an absurd financial hit for Major League Baseball and its organizations. In what would commonly be a 162 game (81 at home), there was more than $5 billion in lost revenue across the league.

Amongst the teams, the New York Yankees topped the list, with an estimated $437 million in game-day revenue lost compared to what the Yankees might have drawn with fans attending a traditional 81-game home schedule.

2021 will return to its traditional 162 game schedule, with a percentage on maximum stadium capacities for fans, with numbers increasing as vaccination rates do.

This means ‘green light’ for the MLB and baseball as a sport, who have been waiting patiently for a full season with a more relaxed offseason agenda, unlike 2020 when they didn’t even have a collective bargaining agreement in place until COVID hit.

2021 MLB SEASON –

With the return of 162 games, comes the return of the old playoff format. Last season, the MLB adjusted the playoff seeding to allow 16 of the 30 teams to have a chance in the postseason. This year, it is going back to how it always was in normal life.

  • 3 American League division winners
  • 2 American League wildcards
  • 3 National League division winners
  • 2 National League wildcards

The offseason brought an immense amount of moving pieces as well as lots of 0’s on cheques. The teams at the top got better and others also made splashes to move into the competitive conversation.

Some of the most notable deals over the offseason included the defending world champion Los Angeles Dodgers bring in flame-throwing starting pitcher Trevor Bauer. With the return of David Price after his opt-out in 2020, and the always steady Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers are poised to be the best team in baseball again… it might not even be that close.

Their California rivals from San Diego also introduced themselves to the acquisition market over the offseason. The Padres brought in a plethora of pitching prowess in Blake Snell, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove. These two teams’ rotations are enough to stamp them as the elite of the NL, and I fully expect both to eclipse the 100-win mark in 2021.

Lastly, Canada’s team took another step in their pursuit of returning to the big stage. The Toronto Blue Jays went out and had a near-perfect offseason, stacking up on defense and hitting with the likes of George Springer and Marcus Semien. The Jays will be right there with the Yankees for tops in the AL East this year if they can stay healthy and perform well head to head.

KINGS OF THE DIVISIONS –

AL East: NYY

Taking a look now into each division in baseball, there are some races that expect to come right down to the wire, while others appear to be the favorites to lose.

In the AL East, the Blue Jays and Yankees have been mentioned already. Both squads deploy park-leaving power and have solid rotations when healthy. The Tampa Bay Rays come into this season off a World Series loss and also having lost their ace, Blake Snell, in a trade for prospects and cash.

While the Boston Red Sox shouldn’t be as bad as people think, I believe the Yankees will be the team that locks up the top spot in the AL East.

AL Central: CWS

This is one of those runaway winners I’m projecting to play out the way it looks on paper. The Chicago White Sox are a team to watch this year, with their young core looking the part and some strong additions in the rotation (Lance Lynn) and bullpen (Liam Hendriks), this team should make easy work of the other teams looking towards down years.

AL West: LAA

I don’t care what any exerts say or think on this one, I’m riding with Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in this division.

The Houston Astros just lost George Springer in free agency, and the cheap yet resilient Oakland A’s got slightly gutted in personnel over the offseason. The Angels have a very good offense and I expect them to be a very tough out every at-bat. It all comes down to their bullpen.

NL East: ATL

Shoutout to my guy Phil Figs, doing live on-air for Evolution 107.9 at BCIT. The Braves are his team and I’m sure he’ll be pleased to know I’m not picking against them.

Atlanta boasts a deep, solid roster inside and out. At the plate, defensively and by way of experience, this team has it all. Although people will forget they were 3 innings and a Will Smith three-run homer away from making the World Series last season, I expect them to be right back there again.

The NL East is one of the best divisions, if not the best in all of baseball. The Mets should keep things interesting, with the Phillies and Nationals being possible surprises with solid teams of their own.

NL Central: STL

The pickup of Nolan Arenado is massive for St. Louis who was already a good team last season, making the playoffs. Joining Paul Goldschmidt, this duo will be crushing baseballs and leading a Cards team with unknown potential.

Keep an eye out for Maple Ridge, BC product Tyler O’Neill this season as he enters his fourth MLB season after winning a gold-glove award in 2020.

NL West: LAD

The Dodgers are the second team from the LA area to win a division title in my predictions, they’re just too stacked. The race will be a good one between the Padres and Dodgers for the title, but I can truly say that I will be surprised almost every time the Dodgers lose a game this season, depending on the opponent of course.

 

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

 

 

 

Evan Power’s Top 10 NHL Power Rankings – Week 10

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As a hockey fan above all else, I love to keep up with the NHL and all 31 teams (soon to be 32) and what life is like for all the organizations. I have never really been given a platform to share my weekly thoughts on what is transpiring around the league, and since starting these writeups ten weeks ago, it has kept me involved and honest in my research to stay up to date with the latest.

After taking last week off, the picture has shifted quite substantially in the top ten rankings league-wide. Teams are falling, enduring injuries and/or stoppages that will seemingly affect the entire order.

In the north division, we saw our very first COVID-19 halt in the scheduling for a pair of Canadian squads. After the Montreal Canadiens places two players on the COVID-19 protocols list, the long contact-tracing process forced the NHL to postponed a two-game series between the Habs and Oilers.

This put the Leafs and Jets on center stage this week and made the two teams at the top in the north look that much more powerful. Winnipeg handled the Canucks and Flames in three of four victorious games, and the Leafs have a goalie controversy on their hands with this rise of Jack Campbell between the pipes.

In the central, Tampa Bay has dropped two in a row for the first time since dinosaurs were around, and their Florida rival lost their Norris trophy caliber defenceman Aaron Ekblad for what is expected to be a very long time.

The Carolina Hurricanes appear to be the number one team to beat in this division after another victory over the defending champion Lightning, and the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot is also getting tight with Nashville picking up steam.

Looking at the East, all of a sudden Washington is coming in hot, winners of three in. row and 10 of 11 games. Sidney Crosby is leading the Pens without Malkin to a steady rise up the standings, and the Philadelphia Flyers goaltenders are single-handedly ruining the team’s season…

Finally out west, the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights are getting healthier and the games are getting even better. The two top dogs in the division split a two-game set in Denver over the weekend, as every other team in the division goes through the downs of their campaigns.

NHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 10:

1. Colorado Avalanche (Last Week: 4)

The Avs make the much-expected jump back up into the top spot this week, as they continue to get bodies back from injury, they also continue their potent offensive output.

The big-three upfront of Mackinnon, Rantanen and Landeskog are too much to match up against unless your name is the Golden Knights, and there really isn’t any way this team is going to slow down barring any more injuries.

As long as Phillip Grubauer continues his steady play in the goal, Colorado should end the season quite strong and make their case for the Presidents trophy.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (Last Week: 1)

Tampa takes the drop due to a couple of bad losses this week against Dallas and Carolina. Giving up 2-0 leads in a matter of minutes in both games led to some rare blown games, something we aren’t used to seeing from the champs.

I am sure they will get back on track as they enter a week with the struggling Jackets in their crosshairs, but it may be time to start getting more from Brayden Point on the offensive end.

3. Vegas Golden Knights  (Last Week: 2)

Vegas has the best defense in the league and I concluded that in their win over the Avs in OT on Saturday. After getting embarrassed the game before in a 5-1 loss, Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore and the rest of their stacked backend took charge and shut down the NHL’s hottest line in a tight win.

4. Carolina Hurricanes (Last Week: 5)

The Canes have been very impressive this year especially after going through multiple stoppages and having inconsistencies in the lineup department. Ever since they lost their top point-getter in Vincent Trocheck, Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas have truly overtaken the role of producers.

Accompanied by their underrated defence core, Carolina has a lot of things to look forward to down the stretch once they integrate Trocheck back into the lineup.

5. Washington Capitals (Last Week: Unranked)

Definitely, the team that has taken the biggest leap since the last time I did my power rankings, Washington has been virtually unstoppable over the last 14 days.

Winners in 10 of their last 11, they are getting production from all of their top performers, and the great Alex Ovechkin has also been lighting the lamp. Their powerplay is running at a league-high clip right now, and with Ilya Samsonov back in the mix, the Caps goaltending is not to be worried about.

They are currently sitting at number one in the East division and for a team that didn’t get off to the greatest start, they now appear to be running at full throttle under head coach Peter Laviolette.

6. New York Islanders (Last Week: 3)

Although the results haven’t varied much, the loss of their captain Anders Lee is hurting this team. It is evident in the games against top players on the opposition, like Crosby or Ovechkin when the matchup roles play such a big part in the outcome, that Lee is very missed for coach Barry Trotz.

I don’t think the Isles can get written off, but it sure isn’t a good thing to lose one of your best point producers and shutdown centers for the entire year.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (Last Week: 7)

There is a new goalie controversy city in Canada and it ain’t Vancouver!

With Frederik Anderson on the shelf, Jack Campbell has used this extended starters time to propel himself into the full-time starting conversation. The Leafs have won three in a row with Campbell between the pipes and he has recorded 77 saves and a shutout in the process.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins  (Last Week: Unranked)

As I mentioned above, Evgeni Malkin is currently out of the Pens lineup but it really hasn’t hurt them one bit. The Pens have benefitted from their games against the lowly Sabres, but also taken down the Bruins and Islanders on route to this newfound success.

9. Winnipeg Jets  (Last Week: 9)

The most underrated team in Canada this year is the Winnipeg Jets. That Pierre-Luc Dubois trade all of a sudden looks like a steal for the Jets, and after pounding the Canucks in back-to-back games flexing their offensive muscles, I love the Jets to be a tough out, come playoff time.

10. Boston Bruins (Last Week: 6)

The B’s are sinking due to their inability to ice an entire roster of NHLers, simple as that. Today they had NINE players on the inactive list for their game against the Devils, including Tuukka Rask and Brad Marchand.

Boston remains in the rankings because when healthy, they are competing with Washington, NYI and the Penguins for the East’s top spot.

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

 

 

March Madness – The Elite 8 is Set!

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Boy oh boy, what a weekend of basketball.

For all the times I have been able to follow this tournament and keep tabs on the teams involved, I would have to say I have never been so enticed by how things are playing out.

For starters, my apologies to those who may have considered my opinion on the sweet sixteen matchups, as most of my ‘locks’ and ‘bold calls really didn’t play out the way I was expecting it to as if it ever really does this time of the year.

I went 50% from the field on my picks, winning on Gonzaga, Arkansas, Baylor and USC. Where I was very wrong was on my choice of Syracuse and Loyola, where I clearly did not give enough credit where it was due.

The teams moving on to the elite 8 in this year’s tournament are a mix of the top dogs from the entire season to this point, and others who are running on fumes, living shot-by-shot and hoping to be the final team standing in the end.

Everyone loves an underdog story, and this group of eight remaining in the Indianapolis bubble will fit right into the narrative of that.

The weekend began in upset fashion, with Oregon State controlling the Loyola Ramblers in ways that not many saw coming. After Loyola-Chicago’s massive performance in the win over Illinois, I definitely expected more.

One thing is for certain: this Oregon State Beavers team will not go out quietly. They are dogs on the court, players like Ethan Thompson and Warith Alatishe set the tone for a squad that plays with no fear and most importantly hits their free throws.

The second surprise of the weekend for me was to see how easily the Houston Cougars were able to penetrate Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone defense that had stymied teams in the previous two rounds.

As I expected to be the case in my writeup prior, Houston was dominant on the glass and it is the reason they had so much success. They outrebounded the Orange by 10 and had a 14 point advantage in the paint, that is the recipe for wins in this tourney…

Also, FREE THROWS.

Surprise number three, and it was a big one. The #11 ranked UCLA Bruins are continuing to prove all bracket makers wrong and took down one of the best shooting teams in the tournament by doing so.

There was drama and plenty of it. UCLA was up three points in the dying seconds of the second half when Alabama’s Alex Reese heaved up a deep three-pointer, sinking it at the buzzer to tie the game.

In overtime, it was all UCLA who managed to bounce back and seal the upset win. Massive performances from Jamie Jaquez and Jules Bernard along with others helped carry the lost load of their MVP Johnny Juzang who fouled out.

The shock of the sweet sixteen came from a team who was playing in the first four just to earn a birth in the NCAA tournament…

MARCH.

Looking ahead to the Elite 8 on Monday and Tuesday, I’m so glad it won’t be another week-long wait, we get this action in less than 24 hours!

MONDAY GAMES –

Spots in the final four are on the line now, things are getting tighter and tighter and many of the teams remaining have just as much momentum as their opposition, so no longer can we use this to determine what’s going to play out.

#12 Oregon State Beavers vs. #2 Houston Cougars:

A game where Houston will enter as the deserving favorite, rightfully so. Oregon State did to Loyola what not many other teams could, played to their pace but completely neutralized everything they tried to do in Loyola’s half-court scheme.

I expect this to be a defensive slugfest, with whichever team making the biggest plays in the late stages coming out on top. Oregon State was not touted for their rebounding coming into the NCAA tournament, but ever since winning the PAC-12 and punching their ticket to the dance, there hasn’t been an era they have lacked in.

I do not expect Houston to blow through Oregon State on Monday night, in fact, I believe Oregon State could very well win this game, but I’m leaning to the side of the Cougars.

I believe when the stipulations are the largest and lights are the brightest, big-name players mean more than they do in the earlier rounds. I want to see Quentin Grimes of Houston and Ethan Thompson of Oregon State go toe to toe for the final four.

Houston 66 – Oregon State 62

#1 Baylor Bears vs. #3 Arkansas Razorbacks

It’s easy to look at Arkansas game vs Oral Roberts and say they will get destroyed by a very long and complete Baylor team, but this is the elite 8 now and things really do get pumped up a notch.

Baylor was trailing by 7 to Villanova at halftime on Saturday just to turn around and make it an eleven-point victory. Once they settle in and their shots start to fall, it is almost impossible to cool them down.

Both of these squads get a majority of their points in the paint and shouldn’t have much trouble getting to the line, it is up to them once they have the opportunities at the stripe to make them count.

I think this one comes down to the ability to make the three-point shot, and that is where I give the Bears an advantage. With only one day separating the games and lack of time to prepare for a new opponent, I’m taking Baylor to pull away late and get to the final four.

Baylor 79 – Arkansas 67

#1 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. #6 Univerity of Southern California Trojans:

What I think will be the game of the round. Both squads feature a plethora of NBA-ready talent, with lottery picks like Jalen Suggs, Drew Timme and Corey Kispert on Gonzaga, along with the Mobley brothers and a pair of savvy guards in Isaiah White and Tahj Eaddy on USC.

The length of USC will cause the Zags big problems, especially if they get into foul trouble like they did today against Creighton. If USC manages to get a lead, don’t be surprised if they’re able to fend off the Bulldogs just based on their ability to shoot and defend inside.

I love the way this USC team is playing and I love their personnel to pull off this upset, but I can’t do it officially. Something about this Gonzaga Bulldogs team and the brotherhood they visibly run their team through is enough for me to not only have them in my final four but as my undisputed champion across all brackets.

Gonzaga 75 – USC 68

#1 Michigan vs. #11 UCLA:

Two teams that proved me wrong this weekend will now go face to face for a spot in the final four.

Michigan handled Florida State without a sweat, and I did not see it coming. They proved something to me that I hadn’t really seen at first, and that is the amount of heart they play with.

Without the offensive prowess of injured star Isaiah Livers, this team passes the ball like they have been playing together since diapers. Not only on the offensive end but defensively they will make any team settle for outside shots.

One thing the UCLA Bruins don’t struggle with is outside shots, for that reason I expect this to be a lot closer than the odds will tell you.

https://twitter.com/marchmadness/status/1376349051176722433?s=20

UCLA wins this game if they find another key contributor to step up, whether it is Jaquez again or Juzang getting redemption for his rough Sunday night vs Bama, someone will need to make a play.

I believe Michigan’s defense won’t suffer from the lack of prep time as much as UCLA’s will, no matter how hard it is to bet against Mick Cronin and these Bruins after their performance in the sweet sixteen.

Michigan 81 – 69 UCLA

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

 

 

 

 

 

2021 Canucks – One Year Reboot?

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It is no secret by now, the 2021 Vancouver Canucks roster just isn’t good enough to be a consistent winning team in a division like the north.

They started out slow, and still managed to slow down further after that. One of the strangest parts about this season for the team is just how different things have gone than last season, where it was hard to find a night without a positive story.

From the scoring inconsistencies to the defensive lapses that continuously affect Vancouver in the most negative ways, it has been a very difficult few months to say the least for fans of the Canucks.

Although there shall never be any excuses for a pro sports team to lack dedication, determination and heart, I don’t believe that is the case with Vancouver.

Honestly, for the cards they were dealt entering this tricky, shortened campaign, Vancouver has actually managed to keep their head above water just enough to make people consider the team to be still in the playoff hunt still.

Newsflash, it’s not going to happen.

Through their most successful run of the year in early March, where the team won 7 of 8 meetings and seemed to be in great hands with Thatcher Demko between the pipes, it still felt unrealistic to pin any sort of expectations upon a squad that just doesn’t have much offensive potency whatsoever.

Their winning was unsustainable in many ways during that stretch and after the two straight embarrassing losses at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets before the teams’ week-long break in their schedule, the proof was in the pudding.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet650/status/1374188690142941184?s=20

On another note, even though positives may be hard to find within the games, I truly think it isn’t fair to write off this core group. Changes should be imminent following the conclusion of the season for Vancouver, but there is still reason to believe that the Canucks aren’t far away from getting back on track next year.

The first avenue to explore is the possibility of picking up (yet another) coveted draft pick. The Canucks have made a living (literally) off the high first-round draft selections they gathered over the course of the rebuild. The NHL draft is not a concern but a strength of this team.

Whether it is in the team’s best interest to possibly trade that pick for more draft capital and/or players, or make the selection and add to a thinning-crop of notable prospects, being in the lottery is a positive step forward regardless.

With young players on the way, the likes of Vasili Podkolzin or Jett Woo who will come in and hopefully make an immediate impact, there are signs of the continued growth within the future roster and many possibilities for more scoring.

Next, the salary that is hoped to come off the books for the team over the next two offseasons is immense enough to comfortably resign Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko to new deals, and perhaps have room to spare.

Over the next two offseasons, we should expect the Canucks to lose the cap hits of their aging roster players, Brandon Sutter, Loui Eriksson & Sven Baertschi to name a few.

These topics suggest that this coming offseason is one of the more intriguing and important periods of this franchise’s recent history. They can not take another step back before the start of next year, especially with the Seattle Kraken coming in and providing another possible competitive rivalry for Vancouver.

Who should be at the forefront of these decisions and what is the direction that the team is wanting to take heading into a massive transitional offseason?

These are possibly the first questions that will have to be answered before any other adjustments are made. Whether Jim Benning remains in office as the GM or coach Travis Green stays behind the bench, the team needs to understand what they want to do with a puzzle of a roster and how they want to achieve these goals.

Another reason to believe the Canucks could very well return to the playoffs and beyond next season is the fact that the current stipulations of the schedule and travel may be more lenient for the NHL as a whole.

In the scenario where things would return to normal, league-wide competition, Vancouver would be back into a much more manageable division with the rebuilding California teams, and the western Canadian sides that they actually manage to play well against for the most part.

A large contributor to this season’s struggles can be attributed to the current state of the other teams in Canada. Outside of Ottawa, every other team in the north division considers itself a high-quality, playoff contender.

This means that on a nightly basis, playing in the north division is nearly impossible to remain consistent in gaining results. Even the touted cup contender Toronto Maple Leafs drop contests to the Senators, Canucks and Jets, because of the nature of playing in this group.

With a return to normalcy, I feel a growing team like Vancouver will benefit from going back to how things were before all of this craziness.

Mixed with some important roster decisions perhaps from a new team voice, or the addition of young players like first-rounder Vasili Podkolzin, there are various reasons why the Canucks and their fans should feel more optimistic than many other teams around the league, even those that are in a better position standings-wise than the Canucks right now.

The end of this campaign will be important for this young team. The veterans around the core have to perform within their roles and maybe set the foundation for a run, once Elias Pettersson returns.

For now, it is one day at a time, but looking down the road I believe there are reasons to keep the faith around the Canucks and the possibilities of what is to still come.

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

 

 

Men’s NCAA March Madness – SUNDAY Sweet Sixteen Breakdown

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  • This article is dedicated to the memory of Grand Canyon basketball’s Oscar Frayer who passed away in a car accident on Thursday, just days after playing in the NCAA tournament.

So the first day of NCAA ‘March Madness’ action this weekend has been covered.

This year’s sweet sixteen is set and in my previous article, we broke down the matchups taking place tomorrow, a jam-packed day of college basketball on both the men’s and women’s side of the bracket.

If you missed that one (here’s the link), I’m going with Loyola-Chicago over the Beavers of Oregon State, the Baylor Bears taking down Villanova, Arkansas blowing out the cinderella story Oral Roberts, and an upset in the night-cap with Syracuse beating Houston.

So now that half of the ‘Elite 8’ has been projected, it’s time to take a deep dive into day two of the sweet sixteen on Sunday.

The East and West regions in this year’s tournament have their own select “special qualities” I like to call them. Something they all have in common is the fact that they’re all big-name programs, in not only basketball but all-across collegiate sports.

Each of the remaining teams out of these regions has been faced with a diversity all year long, long COVID stoppages coming at different times for all, it is hard to tell which teams are fully hitting their stride.

Something else that is notable on this side of the bracket, is that there is plenty of NBA-ready talent, and projected draftees that are set to faceoff.

Evan Mobley of USC and the dynamic point guard Jalen Suggs from Gonzaga are both considered top-five NBA talents, close behind them there is fellow Gonzaga Bulldog Corey Kispert and Florida State big-man Scottie Barnes.

All of these young men are going to be gone in the top ten of the draft, and that’s not even half of it.

This makes me even more excited for what is to come on Sunday. Not only will these players be suiting up for their programs, but draft positioning will be one of the talking points of next week after these huge matchups are over.

Breaking down the Sweet Sixteen (Sunday Games) –

West: #1 Gonzaga vs. #5 Creighton:

To kick off the day on Sunday morning we have a battle between two of the more consistent basketball programs in the United States.

Gonzaga and Crieghton are similar just based on how often they find success in this tournament, although it hasn’t amounted to much in the matter of trophies, they always seem to hang around long enough to give themselves a chance.

The difference between this Gonzaga Bulldogs team from years past is that they finally believe in themselves. The Bulldogs have built a reputation for being a really good team, but somehow falling up short in the big moments.

This time around has a different feeling to it. Entering the game an undefeated 28-0 on the year, they truly know how good they are and use that aura to play exactly how they want.

They control other teams and manage how their opponents run the offense. They can score from all five positions on a basketball court and have the personnel to call isolation plays at any given time.

It has been a long two years without the NCAA tournament for this Bulldogs team, who was upset in the Elite 8 last time out in 2019. I think for all these reasons that Creighton doesn’t stand a chance on Sunday.

The Blue Jays will keep this game close for as long as they can, maybe until about 10 minutes left or so, but Gonzaga will break them down. Whether it is foul trouble or inability to guard one on one in the late stages, I think Creighton falls to Gonzaga and the Bulldogs move on to the elite eight once again.

Gonzaga 89 – Creighton 78

East: #1 Michigan vs. #4 Florida State:

GAME OF THE WEEKEND? This one should be very close until the final moments and I totally expect to see some March magic.

The top-seed Wolverines outlasted a high-powered LSU team to punch their ticket to the sweet sixteen, all without the services of their star forward Isaiah Livers, out for the season with a foot injury.

Michigan is run by head coach Juwon Howard, an animated and persistent leader in respect to the emotions of the game. FSU’s head coach is Leonard Hamilton, who used to coach Howard with the Washington Wizards of the NBA.

Student vs. Mentor in the sweet sixteen for a chance to move on.

I’m taking Florida State. Their defense has stymied a Colorado team that was known for its ability to shoot the ball. The Seminoles are a squad that matches up very well inside with the Wolverines, and they manage to produce more on offense in terms of all-around scoring.

Where Michigan can take this game is at the free-throw line, where they are significantly stronger than FSU. Except Michigan to shoot a lot fewer threes than normal and look to attack the paint all game long.

Florida State 71 – 70 Michigan

East: #2 Alabama vs. #11 UCLA:

UCLA is in the sweet sixteen after playing the extra tournament game in the first four, beating Michigan State, BYU then Abilene Christian en route to where they stand this weekend.

I don’t think they stand a chance. Alabama is a dream team that is fully capable of ending this game in the first half with the way they shoot the three-pointer.

Bama HC Nate Oats has this team confident and playing at a supreme level. I also believe they have a chip on their shoulder from everyone calling them a ‘football school’…

Alabama in a sleeper.

Alabama 91 – 69 UCLA

West: #7 Oregon vs. #6 USC:

Two teams that have had to face zero adversity will most definitely have to face it in this one. A back and forth matchup of the two PAC-12 conference powers.

Oregon who has had less game action due to their first-round bye is up against a team in USC that has won their first two games of the tournament by a combined margin of 50 points.

In February, the Ducks and Trojans faced off in a 16-point victory for USC. Although I fully believe this game stays close the whole way through, there is no reason for me to pick against the Mobley brothers and the USC Trojans.

Rebounding, free throws, and three-pointers. Fundamental areas that USC is just a bit better than Oregon. This one may come down to the last shot though…

USC 74 – 71 Oregon

Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

Men’s NCAA March Madness – SATURDAY Sweet Sixteen Breakdown

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As is to be expected whenever an NCAA tournament is upon us, the emotional roller coaster that is college basketball has taken the front seat in the car that drives the sports world and its news.

There have been some stellar performances from some of the world’s best young hoops talent, from players like Cade Cunningham, the projected number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft, as well as ‘Cinderella’ stories like Oregon State, Syracuse, and most of all, 15-seed Oral Roberts.

It is no secret, the best stories are written at this tournament, and memories are built for these kids and their programs that help fuel the fire that is competing at the heights of NCAA division one basketball.

Each team has its own script, whether it is the 101-year old Sister Jean, a diehard fan of the Loyola-Chicago that traveled into the NCAA bubble to take in the magical run the Ramblers have made.

The Syracuse Orange, powered by a father/son duo in head coach Jim Boeheim and his star son, Buddy, find themselves in a very winnable ‘Sweet Sixteen’ matchup with Houston University to trying to make the ‘Elite 8’ for the first time since 2016. The Orange have made their living off hitting very difficult shots, but even more so by the strength of their patented zone defense that has riddled their opponents.

Last but certainly not least, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, led by the top point scorer in the NCAA, Max Abmas are heading into the second weekend looking to become the first 15 seed to ever make it to the Elite 8.

What we witnessed over the first four days to open the 2021 tournament could not be replicated and I’m sure will be impossible to live up to in the coming games, but with some of these matchups on Saturday and Sunday, we look to be in good shape for some more nail-biting entertainment.

Breaking down the Sweet Sixteen (Saturday Games) –

Midwest: #8 Loyola-Chicago vs. #12 Oregon State:

What a matchup we have been given to kick off a weekend of intense hoops. The Loyola Ramblers come off a massive, controlled upset of many bracket-makers (including mine) national champion in the University of Illinois.

The Ramblers were ranked criminally low in this region, and many believe that not only were they a top team in this region, but actually an elite team in the nation overall. They’re taking on a team running on the highest momentum imaginable, the Oregon State Beavers.

The Beavers enter this game after taking down the top college player, Cade Cunningham, and Oklahoma State. The Beavers are just one of the four PAC-12 conference teams still alive, showing further that this year’s selection committee had a very rough time building this bracket.

When it comes down to it in this matchup, I believe the team that was criminally slept on all year in Loyola will be too much for a just now streaking Beavers team. The Beavers have had enough momentum to help them win their conference tournament, but I believe they have not seen a defence quite like this Ramblers unit.

Loyola 74 – 62 Oregon State

South: #1 Baylor vs. #5 Villanova:

The 2021 NCAA tourney is special because we are finally seeing the teams which were believed to be on the doorstep of becoming a high-level college program get out of their shell and into the bright lights.

Without the likes of Duke and Kentucky in this year’s field, the usual teams that were used to being labeled as “fraudulent” due to their inconsistency and inability come tournament time have found ways to capitalize on this unusual season.

The Baylor Bears were always the bridesmaid but never the bride in the NCAA tournament. having very impressive regular seasons and conference titles, just to get bounced on the opening weekend of March Madness.

In 2021, this Baylor team appears to have its sights set on a massive national title matchup with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Being able to score from anywhere on the floor and constantly put up quality shots, scoring at a very high clip.

Villanova has been here, done that. This would be considered an upset candidate to me, but unfortunately, the Villanova Wildcats are not going to be at full-strength. Losing their star guard Collin Gillespie to a torn MCL earlier in the year will rear its ugly head in this game, and Baylor will move on to the Elite 8.

Baylor 77 – 65 Villanova

South: #15 Oral Roberts vs. #3 Arkansas:

Another super-test for a team that’s here on guts and sheer-belief. The FIFTEENTH ranked Oral Roberts Golden Eagles take on the steady Arkansas Razorbacks in what should be a very up-tempo game.

Both teams are top 50 in the country in the pace of play, with Oral Roberts boasting a tandem of high-scoring guards that can shoot the lights out.

As much as I would go crazy to see the story, and hopefully get proven wrong in this matchup, I think this game spells the end of the road for the Cinderella Golden Eagles.

Arkansas has something that neither the Buckeyes of Ohio State or Florida Gators had against Oral Roberts, and that is rebounding. The Golden Eagles were able to shoot open shots off offensive rebounds non-stop in their first two matchups or get to the line after drawing fouls inside.

Arkansas is a different animal, hence why they are the third-ranked team in the south region. Their ability to eat teams alive inside the paint as well as play at the pace they set will be too much for Oral Roberts, who have to spend a week just lathering in the hype they have built over a short 48 hours last weekend.

This one might get ugly, but I hope I’m wrong.

Arkansas 81 – Oral Roberts 63

Midwest: #11 Syracuse vs. #2 Houston:

The Syracuse Orange have to be my favorite team remaining in the tournament, and I believe they have the ability to pull this off…

On a weekend where favorites will probably rule their matchups, this is the one I am expecting to go the way of the underdogs.

The Orange have made a living off hitting their shots, as they have all year long. The name Buddy Boeheim is quickly becoming larger than life because this player appears to have all the characteristics of Kemba Walker or Gordan Hayward in the way he leads.

It all starts on defense, where this killer zone that Syracuse runs forces their opponents to settle for mid-range jumpers that aren’t really what teams or players practice all-to-often n today’s climate.

When teams begin to miss these shots, they resort to long-range, low percentage threes in an attempt to play up to the types of shots that Syracuse can consistently hit.

Where Houston may find some cracks is the ability to crash the boards. Being one of the best rebounding teams both offensively and defensively, this is where I expect the game to remain close, Assuming that Syracuse is able to knock down their tough looks, and Houston gets lost in the zone, I’m going Orange for the first upset of the Sweet Sixteen.

Syracuse 75 – Houston 71

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

 

 

Evan Power’s Top 10 NHL Power Rankings – Week 8

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Month number two has come and gone in my 2021 edition of the weekly NHL power rankings, and as things continue to fluctuate in the league’s divisional standings, the overall top 10 picture gets more and more difficult to outline.

Breaking down the division’s piece by piece starting in the North, where Canada’s top team the Toronto Maple Leafs have entered their roughest stretch of the campaign. Following back-to-back losses in Vancouver a week ago, the Leafs went on to lose two of three against the quicky improving Jets, and close out the week by looking awful in the nation’s capital against the Sens.

The Central division continues to look like a three-team runaway race at the top, followed by another three-team race between the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets and Stars for the fourth and final playoff position.

An interesting development to keep your eye on is the current standing of CBJ head coach John Tortorella. As the Jackets have gone through their fair share of struggles, combined with what feels like the 20th Patrik Laine benching since the player’s arrival. Torts may be one of the coaches on the hot seat as we inch closer to the trade deadline.

In the league’s most talented division, the East, New York made their presence felt in multiple ways this week.

The Islanders have propelled themselves to a four-point lead in the first place spot. Winners of nine straight games, the Isles appear to be ready to make another deep playoff push powered by their discipline defensive system and ability to score in transition and on the powerplay.

As for the team in ‘The Big Apple’, the Rangers were boosted on Saturday by the return of Artemi Panarin, handing the Boston Bruins a loss in a convincing 4-0 fashion.

Finally in the West, the Minnesota Wild have assured people that they are the cinderella team we expected to see with a group of young, exciting forwards.

https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1370580903743926275?s=20

Rookie Kirill Kaprizov looks the part and seems to have the Calder trophy already in the bag. On a line with Mats Zuccarello and Viktor Rask, the Wild have a true top line that teams must be ready to match up against if they plan on taking points away from the upstart Wild.

NHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 8:

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (Last Week: 2)

The cup champions are back on top in this week’s edition of the top ten and for good reason. Andrei Vasilevsky is an absolute force between the pipes for this team and doesn’t seem to be suffering any sort of setbacks following the team’s lengthy run in the bubble last summer.

An unsung hero for the Bolts that fails to get sufficient recognition is the amount of depth they have amongst their forward group. Blake Coleman, Yanni Gourde and Barclay Goodrow are just a few of the names that are providing great play towards Tampa’s success.

2. Vegas Golden Knights (Last Week: 1)

What I believe to be the best roster in the NHL right now, the Knights saw themselves drop a pair of important games to Minnesota mid-week.

The VGK seemingly has full intentions of running Marc-Andre Fleury until he can no longer walk, as he has been a workhorse since Robin Lehner went to IR over a month ago. With Lehner set to return this week, the Knights will be circling the next time they play Minny on the calendar.

A big bounce-back weekend for Vegas had them beating the Blues two days in a row on the road, including a 5-1 beating on Saturday night.

3. New York Islanders  (Last Week: 6)

The hottest team in the league and it isn’t close. As mentioned, Barry Trotz is continuing to write his legacy as a phenomenal defensive coach, and one that his players respect and love to play for.

Although it is a boring brand of hockey, winning cures all, and Islanders fans have seen nothing but stout improvement by their team ever since the departure of John Tavares two years ago.

4. Colorado Avalanche (Last Week: 4)

Despite their injury list being longer than any other team in the league, and the absence of top pair defenceman Cale Makar, the Avs are taking care of business against the teams they are supposed to beat.

Winners of three straight and five of seven, Colorado will be looking to get healthier this week and also see more production from their star center Nathan Mackinnon, who is not currently looking or producing at the rate we are accustomed to seeing from number 29.

5. Carolina Hurricanes  (Last Week: 7)

A two-spot jump for the Canes as they have rung off eight straight victories and sit atop the Central Division by a point. Production from everywhere in the lineup, including the bottom forward lines and blue line, has the Canes looking like a well-oiled and well-coached machine.

Some bad news for the Carolina came out over the last few days though, with high-scoring center Vincent Trocheck expected to be sidelined for over a week. I don’t expect his absence to overly impact the lineup in a negative way if they can remain a four-line team consistently.

6. Boston Bruins (Last Week: 5)

The B’s were going through it this week, with COVID protocols getting in their path and forcing them to miss some key pieces in Saturday’s tilt with the Rangers, they dropped to 1-3 on a week where they played some of the division worst teams.

To make matters worse, another loss to the New York Islanders brought their record head to head with the Isles 0-5 on the year, during a season where beating teams above you is so crucial to the standings.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (Last Week: 3)

A massive drop for the Leafs comes off a very under-whelming week. Auston Matthews was able to mask some of their deficiencies all while playing with a very injured wrist, but it just wasn’t enough to salvage the results we expect from the ‘best team in Canada.’

The Winnipeg Jets applied plenty of pressure to Toronto in their three-game set that showed many holes in the Leafs’ defence, and their never-ending goaltending issues are live and well.

8. Florida Panthers  (Last Week: 8)

The Panthers are that one kid in gym glass that will constantly aim for the lesser targets in a dodgeball game, to make pad their stats and make themselves look like the big, bad threat to all the other players.

Until it comes down to a one vs one against the other beasts of the game, they tend to fold. Florida has beat up on Chicago and Columbus, but has failed to get two points against the Hurricanes in their last three meetings.

9. Winnipeg Jets  (Last Week: 10)

The Jets occupy the ninth spot with a very impressive week against the Leafs. Following a 7-1 beating at the hands of Montreal last week, Winnipeg bounced back by controlling Toronto for three games that should’ve all been wins if it wasn’t for the heroics of Auston Matthews.

10. Minnesota Wild  (Last Week: Unranked)

Of course, there are plenty of teams that could be in the tenth spot, but this week it just has to go to the young Wild.

Minnesota has been one of the more boring teams to watch over the last decade, but it appears to be a new era in the ‘State of Hockey.’ Rookie Kaprizov and some impressive production from Chad Greenway, Jonas Brodin and especially Kevin Fiala have this team looking like a new culture is in the works.

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

March Madness Moments

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One of the sweetest times of the year for basketball fans, especially those that are into the dramatics and competitive nature of college hoops.

The NCAA ‘March Madness’ tournament returns in 2021 following a year in 2020 where the COVID-19 pandemic came just in time to foil the plans for last year’s tournament. One of the first very high-profile events to be canceled due to the virus, setting the tone for what were many cancellations and postponements in the year 2020.

Now in 2021 after a long-awaited absence from the world stage, the NCAA and the 68 teams selected to enter the bubble in Indianapolis will compete for a national title, something they attributed countless hours towards during this entire unique season, and their whole individual lives.

With today being the final day of the conference tournaments as well as ‘Selection Sunday’, you can’t help but glance at the field and notice how different it may look than in tournaments past.

The usual top teams from the power conferences of NCAA basketball are nowhere to be found. Teams such as Duke and Kentucky saw their teams go through many rough stretches of this strenuous season, resulting in both teams missing the cut for the first time since 1976.

A strange season it was, as it was for every other professional sport that has made an effort to put forth a product during the pandemic. There are some of the regulars near the top of the regions in Gonzaga and Michigan, but the likes of Illinois and Baylor have seen themselves progress as programs this season, resulting in top seeds respectively.

The first four will kick off this year’s competition in Indiana on Thursday morning, as eight teams will faceoff in their own matchups to fill out the rest of the round of 64. Some big names looking to punch their tickets to the next round include a pristine matchup of Michigan State and UCLA.

The signature round of 64 all begins on Friday morning, where the trail of a national champion will begin for one squad ready to make their dream a reality.

In honor of this year’s tournament beginning this week, we should take a look at some of the best ‘March Madness’ moments that have made this tournament what it is known for, craziness.

From massive upsets to other-worldly solo performances on the main stage, big names are made in this tournament, and those who make the most of this opportunity immediately put their name on NBA radars.

The Best March Madness Moments –

Bird vs Magic: The First of Many

In the 1979 tournament NCAA tournament, a special one-on-one rivalry was born into basketball that would be a sign of what was to come for an entire generation. The national championship game saw Magic Johnson and the Michigan State Spartans face off against the previously undefeated Indiana State Sycamores, led by Larry Bird.

A game that included both players carrying their squads, it truly ended up being the smallest of stories looking back at it. Johnson’s Spartans won the tournament, but this was a moment where both players got to go head to head for the first of many classic games.

This game was also the highest-rated and most-watched basketball game in history, professional or collegiate. In 2021 with both men in the hall of fame and have faced each other in three NBA Finals, it is quite crazy to see how far the rivalry went from where it began.

UMBC Goes Dancing:

You never see a perfect bracket in this tournament, no matter how hard people try. Predicting the outcomes of all these games is a near-impossible task no matter which games go your way.

In 2018, there was one special bracket busting upset that shocked the world, and it was one we had never seen before in the long, storied history of March Madness.

A #16 seed defeating a #1. Not only did they beat them, they BEAT them.

From the opening tip-off, it felt like the seeds were incorrect and that the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) were the true number one seed against the top-ranked Virginia Cavaliers. A final score of 74-54, the lowest amount of points scored by the Cavs all season long, was truly the perfect storm for the underdog.

As one of my favorite Canadian hockey announcers put perfectly in 2011, “it’s a wonderful day for an exorcism.”

Villanova Defines Drama:

There is the insane feeling of watching a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot go down and the entire team going into a frenzy in any situation.

In the 2016 national championship, Villanova’s Kris Jenkins didn’t just call game, he called TOURNEY.  In the game between Villanova and North Carolina, Jenkins hit the shot that every child dreams of hitting when they are playing alone on their hoop outside.

North Carolina hit a game-tying three with under 5 seconds to play, forcing everyone in the arena and watching at home to believe that the game was headed for overtime, but Villanova’s Jenkins did him one better on the next possession, sinking a buzzer-beating three to win the game and the tournament for the Wildcats.

A wild way to close out an amazing national championship matchup, and a shot that will go down in history as one of the biggest shots the NCAA tournament has ever seen.

Coach Goes for a Ride:

Not a moment that is known for its greatness, but definitely one deserving of recognition every once in a while.

Georgia State was the heavy underdog, a 14 seed taking on number 3 Baylor in what was suppose to be an easy win for the Bears.

R.J. Hunter had other plans that night, ones that would eventually send his own father and head coach of Georgia State off his seat and onto the sideline floor.

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

 

Craziest Crowd Moments in Sports

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This past week brought on the mark of the one-year anniversary since the last time the world has been able to witness a live, soldout sporting event.

Fans and the crowd, in general, provide so much more than just an impact on the game being played in front of them and an advantage for the home team. They just as much influence the cinematics and enhance the drama of what is transpiring.

You probably try to mute it out as much as you can, but if you have been consuming sporting events on television since they made their return in the summer of 2020, it is quite noticeable how large the void is in the overall entertainment aspect of sports without the fans.

For many people around the world, attending a sporting event is the ultimate privilege. Some may save their money to go to their favorite team’s game, others may be given tickets by a friend or coworker and go to witness something they don’t get to on a regular basis, the great concept of sport.

The factor the matter is, it really doesn’t mean much whether you’re there all the time or just once in a blue moon, every time feels like a new, out-of-world experience.

I can still feel the different brush of air from walking up the steps at Rogers Arena and looking down at the ice surface or the rush of deafening noise being projected from the 72,000 strong in attendance during a Seahawks game.

To put an extraordinary feeling into a short perspective, I hope and wish everybody gets to have the same feelings and experience these times again, not only for what it does to the game, but also what it does for the people.

The crazy chants, or the wave, even getting smacked over the head with something from the opposing teams’ mascot… Every single little memory made in a stadium is one that will last in the heads of a fan for life and will make you want to relive it over and over again.

I wanted to put together a little mashup of all the funny, emotional, and insane moments I could think of when it comes to live, sold-out crowds at a sporting event.

In an attempt to make light of a brutal year it has been, I hope these short clips can help remind people of the beauty and privilege it is to be inside a skeptical like these and to hopefully never take advantage of it again.

Craziest Crowd Moments in Sports –

  • HEADPHONE USERS, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! 

Minneapolis Miracle in Minnesota:

Probably the loudest unofficially tracked crowd there has ever been, this was a signature moment for the NFL and the city of Minneapolis.

When Stefon Diggs took the Case Keenum pass down the right sideline and to the endzone against the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs and the roof came off the brand new stadium in downtown Minny, it was bone-chilling, but in a good way.

A play that should have never happened, and wouldn’t if the Saints could run it back 100 more times. When a miracle occurred on the field at US Bank Stadium, the home fans made it count.

Kawhi Leonard Wins Game 7:

Ahh, yes, a classic.

Something I could watch on repeat again and again until eventually reciting every word of the broadcast call myself. The biggest shot in Toronto Raptors history also brought probably the craziest fan moment as well.

Those who were lucky enough to be in the building probably didn’t know how to calm down for a good 10 minutes, while the people watching on TV around the world couldn’t help but be hyped up themselves.

Overall, this is the definition of what sports are all about. The multiple bounces off the rim, Kawhi goes into a full-depth squat while his teammates and the other 20,000 plus watched the basketball.

A tale that will be told through generations, but one only we were lucky enough to see first-hand.

The Sedin Twins Walk-Off Performance:

You thought I wouldn’t be a homer with this one? Not a chance.

I select this moment to put into the list because I was actually blessed enough to be in the building this night. What seemed like a lackluster regular-season finale at home for the Vancouver Canucks against Arizona quickly turned into a lifetime memory for me.

I had been gifted the tickets for Christmas, $45 per seat sitting in the upper level, in the very front row. Not too shabby for what ended up being the final time Henrik and Daniel Sedin played in a game on the ice at Rogers Arena.

The atmosphere was epic, like something out of a movie. The way the twins were serenaded with cheers every time they touched the puck, hell, every time they touched the ice!

Skip to 1:25 in the video below –

They were cheered so much and so extremely loud on this night at some points they just tried to ignore it, mostly in the warmup.

Yet, they ended in a way that you could only write out in a fictional story, calling curtains on two careers of legends.

Jose Bautista and the Seventh Inning for the Ages:

More homer stuff, this time going to the diamond where everyone knows about this crazy dinger.

Skip to 1:00 of the video below – 

More-known for the bat flip that came after, the massive series-winning home run by Jose Bautista brought a crowd reaction so loud there were rumblings that it set off a small earthquake in the greater Toronto area.

I’m not sure how on Earth any player could manage to pitch through this moment, and it was evident that Rangers pitcher Sam Dyson had been going through a psychological battle to pitch to Joey Bats.

In the end, the home run initiated this insane moment for Blue Jays fans, and it is something to hope for in what should be an interesting era of Toronto baseball on the horizon.

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9