In Super Bowl XLIX, when Russell Wilson’s pass was tipped by Malcolm Butler and somehow corralled by Jermaine Kearse—after Kearse had been knocked down and left squirming on the turf—it seemed too impossible to actually be happening. Sure, there was the difficulty of the catch itself, but that was only[Read More…]
Behind the Bench
Behind the bench: Canadian uprising
Although Canada is known for producing hockey players and winter sport athletes, it may come as a surprise to some that the great white North is responsible for producing some extraordinary NBA talent in recent years. This influx of Canadian talent stems firstly from the influx of young Canadian basketball[Read More…]
Behind the Bench: Winter ‘not so’ classic
As Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal with 13 seconds remaining in regulation, one could almost forget that the NHL’s annual Winter Classic was struggling to maintain its popularity among fans. This year’s game, an outdoor tilt between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks, may have been the most[Read More…]
Behind the Bench: The art of commentary
Good sports commentary is hard to come by nowadays. On occasion we hear balanced, interesting analysis, but most of the time it feels like we’re being drowned in a sea of ads, stats, and clichés.
Behind the Bench: Happy days in the NBA
The fabric of a league rarely differs all that much on opening night from what it was the year before.
Behind the Bench: Narrative from nothing
When the Ottawa Senators appointed their superstar forward Jason Spezza captain one year ago, the response from the media was immediately critical.
Behind the bench: The end of the enforcer
For the first time in 43 years, the Philadelphia Flyers’ opening-day roster did not include an enforcer.
Dusk of the pinstripes
I never got to see Mr. October or the Great Bambino, but one day when my children ask me if I ever got to see Mr. November step into the box, I’ll tell them about that night.
Third man in: Suspended in midair
A sharp uptick in the number of suspensions doled out by the NFL going into this season has sparked uproar among fans and players alike, leading to negotiations between the NFL and the Players’ Association (NFLPA) over a new drug policy.
No end in sight for women’s hockey
On Thursday, the Canadian Women’ s hockey team won its fourth consecutive gold medal after an exhilarating comeback win over the United States. Although the squad is surely still celebrating, its joy may be dampened by the disconcerting whispers that the female edition of Olympic hockey may be axed in[Read More…]
